Lok Sabha Question No. 1034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Infrastructure of Doordarshan and Akashvani
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shantanu Thakur, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1034

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.09.2020)

INFRASTRUCTURE OF DOORDARSHAN AND AKASHVANI

1034. SHRI SHANTANU THAKUR:

SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering or has taken any  steps  to  improve  infrastructure  of  Doordarshan and Akashvani, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to strengthen broadcasting capacity of Doordarshan and Akashvani  so  that  these  can  compete  with  private channels and radio stations; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the work of increasing broadcasting capacity of FM in Amreli  and  Bangaon  Parliamentary  Constituencies  is likely to be completed?

## 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)  &  (b)  Modernization  and  improvement  of  infrastructure  of Prasar Bharati All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) is a continuous  process.  This  includes  adoption  of  modern  High and of old/outlived  equipment,  digitized  content  dissemination  and

Definition (HD) technology, Digitisation of Studios Transmission Operation, replacement/ upgradation expansion of DTH and TV Channels.

As  a  Public  Service  Broadcaster,  Prasar  Bharati primarily  focuses  on  AIR  &  DD's  programming  on  issues  of public interest, viz. health, education, empowerment, social

justice,  etc.  However,  it  is  the  constant  endeavor  of  Prasar Bharati to provide impactful and entertaining programmes on AIR & DD to become the preferred channel of choice of people.

With the launch of DD ArunPrabha dedicated to the State  of  Arunachal  Pradesh  and  DD  Assam  dedicated  to  the State  of  Assam  running  24x7,  and  DD  Retro,  dedicated  to iconic and archival content, foot print of DD Network has been expanded. DD has telecast iconic programmes like Ramayana, Mahabharata,  Chanakya,  Shri  Krishna,  etc.  and  this  led  to exponential growth of DD National and DD Bharati's viewership. DD National held the first position in BARC ratings for several consecutive weeks during the lockdown. Channels of  Doordarshan  Network  are  also  broadcasting  educational content  to  provide  learning  opportunities  to  students  during COVID-19 times.

In addition, more than 70 'YouTube' channels have been created by Prasar Bharti to disseminate the audio/video content. Further, more than 248 AIR channels have been made available  on  'NewsonAir'  app  on  Android  and  iOS  mobile platform.

(c) At present, there is no approved scheme  for increasing broadcasting capacity of 100 Watts FM Transmitter at Amreli. Most of the area of Bangaon Parliamentary Constituency  falls  under  the  coverage  of  AIR  FM  Station  at Krishnanagar and Kolkata.

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