Watch DD I and II round the clock

In a major challenge to satellite channels, beginning 15 August 1999, the government-owned Doordarshan is turning its DD-I and DD-II channels into 24-hour affairs. These channels will also soon be available through the analogue and digital mode via satellite besides the terrestrial transmission mode.

Prasar Bharati's chief executive officer RR Shah made an audio-visual presentation of the new DD package, which comprises old and new programmes. He stressed that the choice of programmes would be market-driven, particularly during prime time, and old programmes with poor television rating points, or TRPs, will be removed.

Mr Shah said that since DD transmission would improve from mid-August, and cable TV operators would be able to air DD channels from whichever dish they used. He warned that if cable operators, who are required to telecast at least two prime band channels (terrestrial channels), fail to do so, the government would take drastic action against them. He said at least ten channels can be shown on the prime band with the most basic televisions.

According to Mr Shah, Doordarshan has the highest reach among all the channels with 54 million homes, against Zee’s 14.4 million, and Sony’s 11.9 million. Cable and satellite channels have a combined reach of 18 million, or a third of Doordarshan’s.