Lok Sabha Question No. 2224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Popularity of Doordarshan/AIR Programmes
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2224 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.3.2018)

## POPULARITY OF DOORDARSHAN/AIR PROGRAMMES

## 2224.  SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  programmes  telecast/broadcast  by  the  Doordarshan  Channels  and  All India Radio are less popular in comparison to the programmes of private channels;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  Doordarshan/All  India  Radio-wise  along  with  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  contents  and  telecasting/broadcasting quality of various programmes of Doordarshan Channels and All India Radio;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and  the shortcomings  found  in this regard and  the improvements made in  the  programmes,  Doordarshan  Channel/All  India  Radio-wise; and
- (e) the corrective measures being taken by the Government to improve the contents and telecasting/broadcasting quality of Doordarshan and All India Radio programmes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

- (a) & (b)

## AIR

No Madam, Prasar Bharati has informed that as per the Radio Audience Survey on FM Channels conducted for the period 2016-2017 by  Audience Research Unit of All India Radio, AIR FM Rainbow and Gold Channels were generally found to be more popular than the private FM Channels in terms of daily reach.

## DOORDARSHAN

Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  as  a  public  Service  Broadcaster,  Doordarshan's programming is focused on issues of public interest viz. health, education, empowerment, social justice etc. Thus Doordarshan  programmes cannot be compared with private channels as both are totally different in their objectives and programming formats. However,  Doordarshan  is  striving to provide impactful  and  compelling programmes to become the preferred channel of choice of people.

- (c), (d) and (e):

## AIR

Prasar Bharati has informed that continuous steps are  taken across the AIR network for review and improvement in the content and presentation style of AIR's programmes.

A lot  of  emphasis  is  being  given  to  the  feedback  received  directly  from  the  listeners through their letters, e-mails, SMS and also phone calls. Similarly,   attention is being paid to the findings of various Audience Research surveys  conducted from time to time by the Audience Research Unit of All India Radio. Wherever needed, modifications and changes, as  sought by  listeners, are being incorporated.

The content is increasingly designed to make radio a means of interactive communication  among  various  stake-holders.  Long  formats  have  been  replaced  by utility messaging, dissemination of themes through jingles, short -duration content, live phone-in-  programmes,  radio  bridges;  location  based  outdoor  programming,  chat shows etc. Keeping in mind radio audiences consuming content primarily on FM and mobiles,  the  content  on  FM  is  constantly  tailored  to  meet  listener's  expectation  and preference.

## DOORDARSHAN

Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  it  is  the  constant  endeavour  of  Doordarshan  to modernize its infrastructure and improve the quality of programmes.

Reviewing  and  enhancing  the  content  quality  is  a  continuous  process.  Doordarshan has  taken  several  measures  to  improve  the  quality  of  content  including  providing training to its Technical and Programming staff, capacity building of Content Producers, improving  the  quality  of  presentation,  enhanced  visibility  on  Social  Media  etc.  Many Doordarshan channels have seen an increase in viewership due to above mentioned initiatives taken by Doordarshan as detailed in the Table below: -

| DD Regional Channels All India 2+, Lakhs) source BARC   |           | NCCS All, Average   | Impressions (in   |
|---------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------------------|-------------------|
|                                                         | Year 2016 | Year 2017           | %Gain             |
| DD Sahyadri                                             | 119       | 242                 | 103%              |
| DD Podhigai                                             | 102       | 123                 | 20%               |
| DD Chandana                                             | 64        | 110                 | 72%               |
| DD Bangla                                               | 56        | 78                  | 39%               |
| DD Girnar                                               | 30        | 56                  | 87%               |
| DD Oriya                                                | 27        | 49                  | 81%               |
| DD Yadagiri                                             | 29        | 44                  | 52%               |
| DD Bihar                                                | 21        | 33                  | 57%               |
| DD Madhya Pradesh                                       | 29        | 32                  | 10%               |
| DD Rajasthan                                            | 21        | 30                  | 43%               |
| DD North East                                           | 12        | 17                  | 42%               |

Packaging of the shows and promos has been improved to give a distinct look and feel to DD Channels. Wide publicity of programmes is being given through various channels of Doordarshan and social media through Youtube/Twitter/ Facebook.

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