Prasar Bharati (PB), India's Public Service Broadcaster has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's Public Service Broadcaster.
The agreement between the two entities would facilitate for the first time the availability of Doordarshan programmes on a 'Free to Air' basic package mode, on a DTH Platform. This would entail coverage of DD through whole of Europe, Asia, North Africa and even upto Australia would be covered as zones. This would also provide DD a viable DTH distribution platform.
The initiative assumes importance in view of providing a platform to project India's view point to a global audience in a cost effective manner.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar said, the MOU provided an important platform to position DD content globally. The content for the platform would be created based on the consultation with various stakeholders and the taste of the target audience.
He added, "Problem was to find downlinking, for the last ten months we were negotiating with German National Broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW)."
Also Read
Congratulating Prasar Bharati on the occasion, Secretary Culture, Ravindra Singh said, This is a great occasion and it will take DD outside the borders out of India.
The MoU entails distribution of 'India Channel' on DTH Platform of Hotbird-13B Satellite and the reciprocal distribution of DW-TV on DD Freedish. Hotbird-13B is an extremely popular DTH platform in Europe. It has a reach of 120 million homes in the whole of Europe, Northern Africa and the whole of Middle East, having a total number of 1543 TV channels of which 1117 TV channels are Free-to-Air. 124 English channels are available on this satellite, prominent amongst which are BBC, CNN, CCTV, RT, France24, VOA TV, Euromans, Sky News, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera, etc.
Placing DD on Hotbird DTH Platform will also give it full access to the Middle Eastern GCC Countries, where Indians work and reside in large numbers. DD will be offered in the basic package of the DTH service which does not require any individual to either subscribe to it or to pay for viewing the channel.
The function was attended by Ms Dorothy Ullriche, joint director general of DW, and Ms Vijay Laxmi Chaabra, Director General Parasar Bharati. Andreas Lang, Head of Media division in German embassy was also present on the occasion besides Syed Akbaruddin , Joint Secretary , Ministry of External Affairs.
Speaking on the occasion the MEA spokesperson said, "We have always advocated larger footprints beyond our borders. Now that Prasar Bharti has taken that path we wish them luck.
