| The government is likely to raise the ceiling on foreign direct investment (FDI), now at 20 per cent, for direct-to-home ventures. |
| The current policy permits a total foreign investment of 49 per cent in DTH companies, of which FDI can only be up to 20 per cent. The rest can be held by non-resident Indians, overseas corporate bodies and foreign institutional investors. |
| The government may also relax the restrictions on cross-media holdings in DTH ventures. The current norms cap the holdings of a broadcaster or a cable television company in a DTH venture at 20 per cent. |
| "We will have to take a decision keeping in view the requirements of the sector. We are contemplating certain changes in the long-term," Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy said here today. |
| The broadcasting industry has been pressing for changes in the FDI norms for DTH companies to attract higher investments into the sector. |
| Regarding the broadcasting policy, Reddy said a group of ministers, set up for the purpose, had given its recommendations to the Cabinet, which would take a final view on the uplinking and downlinking norms. |
| Regarding the mandatory sharing of content by private broadcasters with state-run Prasar Bharati, he said certain events would have to be shared with retrospective effect, while for others, it would be only with prospective effect. |
| Ministry officials said this was being done because the GoM was divided on the issue and that a comprehensive view could not be taken on it. |
| While a certain section of the GoM favours sharing of content only with prospective effect, others, including Reddy, favour sharing of broadcasting rights acquired even in the past. More feed |
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