Two DD channels launched in UK

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) The government today said Doordarshan had launched two channels -- DD-India and DD-News -- in the United Kingdom to cater to the needs of the people of Indian origin there.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said these channels were launched on April 16 this year by Rayat Television Enterprises Ltd., of Rayat Group Ltd.

Mr Dasmunsi said Rayat Television had entered into an agreement with Prasar Bharati for the distribution of DD-India and DD-News channels in the UK for a period of five years.

DD-India has seven Hindi and six English news bulletins daily while DD-News has 19 English and 24 Hindi news bulletins daily, respectively.

Replying to another query, the minister said all the 17 major Doordarshan centres were fully digitized during the 10th Plan period.

As part of the modernisation process, 48 major All India Radio (AIR) stations are proposed to be provided with the hard disc-based system. Of these, 14 are in North Zone, 13 in West Zone, 10 in South Zone, six in North East and five in East Zone.

He said the government also proposed to modernise small studios and open new small studios. Thirty small studios were partially digitised during the 10th Plan period and a new small studio is under implementation at Tirupati as part of continuing schemes.

Low end hard disc system are to be provided at 61 AIR stations.

Of these, 16 are in North Zone, nine each in North East and East Zones, 15 in West Zone and 12 are located in South Zone.

Mr Dasmunsi said AIR had planned three new studios at Medium Wave (MW) stations, two at FM stations and one new FM transmitter in different parts of the country. Besides, provision of 24 small studios at new FM transmitter sites has also been made.

UNI