Prasar Bharti to enhance DD's satellite and AIR's FM reach

Prasar Bharati (PB) would focus on enhancing Doordarshan's satellite reach and expanding the reach of FM radio in the North East, PB Chief Executive Officer Jawhar Sircar said today.
''We have to rethink on our outreach policy in the North East and are discussing possibilities of re-engineering the network system of both Doordarshan and All India Radio'', Sircar told reporters here after rounding off his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Assam.
The terrestrial transmitter, prevalent in the North East, was being replaced by satellites, and ''we aim to focus more on satellite service for which matching infrastructure has to be set up in the region''. He said.

''Additional funding was required for the purpose and I met the chief ministers and governors of the three states to discuss the matter with them. They have assured they would take up the matter with the Centre'', he added.
Terresterial transmitters cannot be completely done away with in the North East but ''we shall concentrate in increasing satellite transmission in the region'', he said.
In case of AIR, short wave transmitters were on its way out due to its crackling sound and ''where it is of no use it might as well be closed'', he said.
''Our focus was now on increasing the reach of FM radio as it had the added advantage of being received on telephones which ensures that it will reach a wider audience'', the CEO said.