19 January 2019
Prasar Bharti Releases New Policy for Allotment of Slots of DD Free Dish DTH Platform for Satellite Channels alongwith inviting applications from eligible satellite TV channels for allotment of slots of DD Free Dish DTH Platform through 38th on line e-auction process
(1) Doordarshan will conduct the 38th online e-Auction for filling up of Vacant MPEG-2 slots of DD Free Dish DTH Platform w.e.f. 11.02.2019 The policy guidelines for allotment of DD Free Dish slots are available on the website,http://doordarshan.gov.in and http://prasarbharati.gov.in.
(2) Only satellite channels licensed by the Ministry of I&B would be allowed to participate in the e-Auction. Only companies holding valid permission from Ministry of I&B or their authorized distributor partners can apply for allocation of DD Free Dish slot. If bidder Company is other than channel license holder such as Broadcaster, the letter/agreement signed between license Holder Company and Distributor Company authorizing the bidder for distribution of the channel and bidding on behalf of the channel must be submitted.
(3) International Public Broadcasters licensed by the Ministry of I&B can also participate in e-auction for MPEG-2
(4) Categorization of TV channels in different buckets in accordance with genres/language of channel and their respective reserve price for allotment of slots on DD Free Dish through e-auction at such reserve price as mentioned in the Notification.
This exercise has been done in furtherance of Order dated 27.10.2017 of the Hon’ble Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Authority in Broadcasting Petition 391 of 2017 wherein the Tribunal directed Prasar Bharti (Respondent) to come out with a new policy for allotment of slots of DD Free Dish and provided interim protection to the lead Petitioner Cinema 24x7 (represented by K&T Law Offices) and other similarly placed players till the time such policy is released by them.
(2) Only satellite channels licensed by the Ministry of I&B would be allowed to participate in the e-Auction. Only companies holding valid permission from Ministry of I&B or their authorized distributor partners can apply for allocation of DD Free Dish slot. If bidder Company is other than channel license holder such as Broadcaster, the letter/agreement signed between license Holder Company and Distributor Company authorizing the bidder for distribution of the channel and bidding on behalf of the channel must be submitted.
(3) International Public Broadcasters licensed by the Ministry of I&B can also participate in e-auction for MPEG-2
(4) Categorization of TV channels in different buckets in accordance with genres/language of channel and their respective reserve price for allotment of slots on DD Free Dish through e-auction at such reserve price as mentioned in the Notification.
This exercise has been done in furtherance of Order dated 27.10.2017 of the Hon’ble Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Authority in Broadcasting Petition 391 of 2017 wherein the Tribunal directed Prasar Bharti (Respondent) to come out with a new policy for allotment of slots of DD Free Dish and provided interim protection to the lead Petitioner Cinema 24x7 (represented by K&T Law Offices) and other similarly placed players till the time such policy is released by them.