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Committee moots Doordarshan, MTNL tieup for Internet services

The high-level committee set up to study the working of Prasar Bharati has proposed a tieup between Doordarshan and MTNL for delivering content through the Net.

This will be part of the strategy, recommended by the committee, to tap new business opportunities arising out of developments in media convergence. The national broadcaster may later on enter into similar alliances with private players, suggested the expert group.

In its report presented to the Government last Saturday, the committee, comprising marketing guru Shunu Sen, Infosys chairman NR Narayanamurthy and Discovery Channel managing director Kiran Karnik, among other things suggested creation of a New Media division under Prasar Bharati, in addition to Doordarshan and All India Radio. The new division will look at opportunities in Internet space, Interactive TV, Direct To Home (DTH) and digital terrestrial broadcasting.

“Doordarshan should forge an alliance with public and private players for delivery of content through new media,” committee chairman Shunu Sen said. In this respect the committee has recommended that to start with the national broadcaster should tie up with state-owned MTNL to explore the gamut of media convergence including Internet over cable and webcasting. “This will help Doordarshan to roll out its new media plans in Delhi and Mumbai where MTNL has a presence,” Sen said.

These alliances can be further extended other state-owned service providers including Department of Telecom Services, Sen said. Private players can also play an important role in helping Prasar Bharati make most of opportunities in areas relating to new media, Sen added. It may be noted that Doordarshan has recently been exploring ways and means to deliver its content through the Net and digital terrestrial broadcasting.

Presentations in this regard have already been made by several private players. Talks are also on with some international players including AOL, Sony Corporation, CNN and BBC.

Media analysts feel that as and when the Government gives a go-ahead to Doordarshan to start DTH broadcasting, the national broadcaster will be looking towards working closely with private channels in this regard.

Meanwhile, Doordarshan has set the ball rolling to put in place a platform for DTH broadcasting. Talks in this regard are currently on with several international broadcasters including Japanese television major Sony Corporation. The national broadcaster plans to start digital broadcasting in four metros by the year-end.

Senior Prasar Bharati officials said that BBC has been commissioned by Doordarshan to do a feasibility study on digital terrestrial broadcasting. It will also carry out a technical audit of the reception quality. The reports are expected to be presented in the next three months, officials added.

SD