Prasar Bharti promises more DTH channels

Vijayawada, Apr 13 (UNI) Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K S Sarma said the direct-to-home (DTH) channels will be increased to 51 in 2006-07 from the current 33.

Mr Sarma said here yesterday the number of radio channels will also be upped to 20 from the present 12.

A special grassroot level publicity drive will be undertaken to introduce DTH in areas where TV penetration is way below the national average, he said adding the Prasar Bharati is conducting a co-branded joint direct marketing campaign in association with the IGO TV of the Onida Group in the Hindi belt areas and the response is encouraging.

The CEO said till February 2006, 10 million DTH boxes had been sold.

He said the KV Rainbow FM channel will start broadcasting programmes in two months time and 10 KV FM Vivida Bharati programmes will begin here by August 15.

Doordarshan had joined hands with ACL Wireless Limited to launch both SMS and IVR-based interactive service over the same short code 676733.

The SMS-based news service was in addition to the various other programmes like opinion polls, feedback that have already been enabled via ACL's India6767 platform.

ACL, a leading developer and provider of cutting-edge wireless solutions for consumers and enterprises, won the contract for a period of three years under which it will design, instal and manage the services which will available to more than 423 million DD viewers across the country.

DD News, DD National, DD Bharati and DD Sports will benefit from the services, he added.

UNI CS PA RAI0913