Lok Sabha Question No. 1780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Quality of Contents Aired on DD
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1780 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018)

## QUALITY OF CONTENTS AIRED ON DD

## 1780.   SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the news and other programmes being aired on Doordarshan (DD) are turning  out  to  be  less  popular  in  comparison  to  the  programmes  shown  on private channels;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether any attempts have been made by Prasar Bharati to improve the quality of its news and other programmes aired on DD channels/Akashvani to bring it at par with the programmes shown on private channels to increase the number of its audience;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof, Doordarshan/Akashvani-wise; and
- (e)  the details of other steps taken/ being taken by the Government to improve the quality of programmes being aired on DD channels/Akashvani?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  and  (b):  Prasar  Bharati  has  informed  that  as  the  Public  Service  Broadcaster, Doordarshan's  programming  is  focused  on  issues  of  public  interest  viz.  health, education,  empowerment,  social  justice  etc.  Thus  Doordarshan's  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) to (e):

## All India Radio

All India Radio (AIR) has embarked upon innovative ways to attract listeners through interactive programming like Dial-outs, radio-bridge and roving microphone.

Contd…..2/-

AIR's  creative  production  especially  in  the  genre  of  radio  features,  interactive programmes, crisp and creative announcements have won international accolades and awards over the years especially during the past 3-4 years.

AIR has surpassed revenue  targets over the year establishing that its products is popular and saleable.The popularity and purposefulness of the programmes of AIR are  gauged  by    audience  research  surveys  conducted  across  the  network,  the response through letters, messages, internet and OTT(over the top)..

AIR is also expanding its  FM network as it is the preferred  mode of radio listening and providing  diverse context to enhance listenership

## Doordarshan

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 details of which are as under:-.

| Source: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India 2+, New Consumer Classification System (NCCS) ALL DD Channels Performance (Average Impressions in Lakhs)   | Source: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India 2+, New Consumer Classification System (NCCS) ALL DD Channels Performance (Average Impressions in Lakhs)   | Source: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India 2+, New Consumer Classification System (NCCS) ALL DD Channels Performance (Average Impressions in Lakhs)   | Source: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India 2+, New Consumer Classification System (NCCS) ALL DD Channels Performance (Average Impressions in Lakhs)   | Source: Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) All India 2+, New Consumer Classification System (NCCS) ALL DD Channels Performance (Average Impressions in Lakhs)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S.No.                                                                                                                                                                   | Channel                                                                                                                                                                 | Year 2017                                                                                                                                                               | Year 2018 (till Nov'18)                                                                                                                                                 | %Gain                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 1                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Sports                                                                                                                                                               | 144                                                                                                                                                                     | 564                                                                                                                                                                     | 293.05                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 2                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Urdu                                                                                                                                                                 | 18                                                                                                                                                                      | 27                                                                                                                                                                      | 47.51                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 3                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Kisan                                                                                                                                                                | 67                                                                                                                                                                      | 84                                                                                                                                                                      | 25.07                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 4                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Kashir                                                                                                                                                               | 11                                                                                                                                                                      | 23                                                                                                                                                                      | 116.84                                                                                                                                                                  |
| 5                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Bihar                                                                                                                                                                | 32                                                                                                                                                                      | 43                                                                                                                                                                      | 36.60                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 6                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Madhya Pradesh                                                                                                                                                       | 31                                                                                                                                                                      | 37                                                                                                                                                                      | 21.48                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 7                                                                                                                                                                       | DD North East                                                                                                                                                           | 16                                                                                                                                                                      | 18                                                                                                                                                                      | 12.81                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 8                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Chandana                                                                                                                                                             | 104                                                                                                                                                                     | 135                                                                                                                                                                     | 29.58                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 9                                                                                                                                                                       | DD Saptagiri                                                                                                                                                            | 49                                                                                                                                                                      | 78                                                                                                                                                                      | 60.46                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 10                                                                                                                                                                      | DD Yadagiri                                                                                                                                                             | 42                                                                                                                                                                      | 78                                                                                                                                                                      | 88.31                                                                                                                                                                   |

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 like Youtube/Twitter/ Facebook.

Prasar Bharati has full autonomy on content creation and to enhance the production value of the programmes on All India Radio and Doordarshan.

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