All Entries Tagged With: "Ministry of Information and Broadcasting"
Govt earns Rs 1.26 bn as licence fee from DTH operators
NEW DELHI: The Government earned Rs 1.26 billion as licence fee from the direct-to-home (DTH) operators during 2009-10, up from Rs 893.81 million a year ago, as their subscriber base and revenues have seen strong growth. DTH players are required to pay a licence fee equivalent to 10 per cent of their gross revenue. The licence fee collected in 2007-08 was Rs 345.63 million, but went up in the later years as the number of DTH players increased. The amount paid to the government is fixed from the gross revenues of DTH operators. These amounts are apart from the service tax for which the Department »»»
DD Direct Plus takes on pvt DTH players
New Delhi: Backed by financial support, upgraded technology and a comprehensive pan-India distribution strategy, DD Direct Plus is aiming to double its existing subscriber base to over 12 million within next 15-18 months. The country’s first and only free direct-to-home (DTH) platform aims to challenge the dominance of six private DTH firms that currently command 25 million subscribers. In the process, DD Direct Plus has overhauled itself to provide the viewers a competitive DTH service at no monthly cost, sources in the I&B ministry said. To meet this aim within a fixed time frame, the ministry »»»
TRAI recommendations…Good news for broadcasters
The Consolidated FDI Policy dated 31st March 2010 issued by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) has come into effect since 1st April, 2010. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the recommendations on Foreign investment in Broadcasting sector. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has requested TRAI to review its recommendations dated 26th April, 2008 on Foreign investment in Broadcasting sector in the light of recent changes in FDI policy. The Consolidated FDI Policy dated 31st March 2010 issued by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion »»»
HITS: Govt receives 3 applications
NEW DELHI: The government has only received three applicants from multi-system operators (MSOs) to operate under the Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) scheme and is examining the possibility of bringing direct-to-home (DTH) players under it. “We are studying the possibility of whether DTH operators could be placed under the HITS scheme,” said Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni. The government announced its HITS policy which was notified by amendment of the Downlinking Guidelines late last year. Soni also indicated that the process for FM radio Phase III is to begin shortly and may include »»»
I&B seeks status info from community radio applicants
NEW DELHI:All applicants who have signed Grant of Permission Agreement (GoPA) or received letters of intent (LoI) for setting up Community Radio Stations have been asked to furnish up-to-date information on their status. In separate notices issues to those who have signed GoPA or received LoI, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has said they must furnish information relating to name of applicant, location of the station, date of GoPA or LoI respectively, date of application to WPC Wing, date of receipt of frequency allocation, and date of commission of station (as applicable). The applicants »»»
Unveil III Phase Policy For FM To Deepen It’s Base : ASSOCHAM
New Delhi: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has urged Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) to roll out FM Phase III Policy in a bid to add more than 780 radio channels in about another 275 cities and towns as also make recommendations to Foreign Investment Promotion Board to raise FDI’s limit in FM radio from existing 20% to 49%. In a representation addressed to Ministry of I&B by ASSOCHAM President, Dr. Swati Piramal, the Chamber has also suggested that foreign equity stake in Direct to Home Services (DTH) be raised from 49% to 74%. The »»»
HITS policy: TRAI seeks views of stakeholders
New Delhi,Apr 6 (PTI) In the wake of Government approving the Headends in the Sky (HITS) policy guidelines, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today released a consultation paper seeking views of stakeholders on tariff dispensation issues related to it. The Union Cabinet had cleared the HITS policy guidelines in November last year, giving an option to cable operators to digitally distribute television channels in various parts of the country. Soon after the HITS-related guidelines were cleared by the cabinet, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested TRAI to give »»»
