Lok Sabha Question No. 2568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Decline in Viewership of Doordarshan Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2568

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.03.2020)

## DECLINE IN VIEWERSHIP OF DOORDARSHAN CHANNELS

2568. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the decline in viewership of national and regional channels of Doordarshan and if so, the details and findings thereof;
- (b) the  initiative  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the viewership of Doordarshan;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  corporate style  governance  in  Doordarshan  and  All  India  Radio  and  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- whether the Government proposes to reduce the allocation of  funds  to  Doordarshan  and  All  India  Radio  and  if  so  the
- (d) details thereof;
- (e) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the lack of qualified and skilled employees adversely affect the functioning of Doordarshan and All India Radio and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (f) the  further  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to improve the situation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE CHANGE;  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)  to  (c):  Prasar  Bharati  has   subscribed  the  services  of  M/s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), India for viewership  data  of  Doordarshan  (DD)  channels.  As  per  BARC data,  viewership of DD  National channels increased from 15.81 crore in 2018 to 18.31 crore in 2019, while that of DD Regional channels  has  increased  from  15.78  crore  in  2018  to 19.33 crore in 2019.

As  the  Public  Service  Broadcaster,  Doordarshan's  programming is focused on   issues of welfare of public viz. health, education, empowerment, social justice,  etc.    Prasar  Bharati  continuously endeavours  to  modernize  the  infrastructure  and  improve  the quality of programmes.

(d):  Fund allocation to Prasar Bharati is based on the projected requirements, having regard to its action plan and strategies.

(e) & (f): Prasar Bharati 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. Prasar  Bharati  also  takes  continuous  efforts towards  improving  the  overall  efficiency  of  employees  through various institutional mechanisms including a) providing of training  at  National  Academy  of  Broadcasting  and  Multimedia (NABM), Delhi and its 8 regional centres, b) training at Films and Television  Institute  of  India  (FTII),  c)  inculcating  e-  system  of work through Public  Finance  Management  System  (PFMS),  and, d)  undertaking  manpower  audit  and  promotion  of  officers  and staff as per laid down procedures.

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