[HCDX] Private FMs may not be able to join DTH platforms

[Mukesh Kumar <thecosmosclub@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Private FMs may not be able to join DTH platforms 

Ashwini Phadnis
Nithya Subramanian 
`They can operate only within a particular
geographical area'  
New Delhi , April 27 
Direct-to-home (DTH) operators planning to offer FM
radio stations to make their bouquets more attractive
might find the going tough. 
Under the present policy, FM radio stations can
operate only within a particular geographical area and
cannot have a pan-India presence. This was pointed out
when the national broadcaster Prasar Bharati planned
to offer space to private FM channels in its free DTH
service, DD Direct Plus. 
According to Government source, "Prasar Bharati is
planning to increase the number of FM radio stations
on its DTH platform from 12 to 20 although it has the
capacity to offer 30 channels. However, this capacity
cannot be taken up by the private radio broadcasters
as it would violate the license conditions." 
Geographic limitations 
The source further added that the FM radio licenses
were granted after a city-wise bidding process. "An
operator can operate only within the geographical
limits of the city where it has been granted the
license. By joining a DTH platform, these limits would
become irrelevant as DTH has an all-India presence,"
he said. 
Analysts said that other DTH operators who plan to
offer radio on their platforms could be impacted.
Interestingly, both the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani
Enterprises Group and the Sun Group have won several
FM radio licenses and also have plans for launching
DTH services. 
However, DD Direct Plus already offers two FM radio
channels, AIR-FM Rainbow and AIR-FM Gold on its
platform. 
ASC Enterprises, which offers DTH under the Dish TV
brand, has 14 radio channels that include 12 AIR
channels and two foreign. "If DTH platforms want to
offer radio they could ask the private FM operators to
put together a special channel. The FM channels cannot
be aired directly," said an official of broadcasting
company eyeing the DTH space. 
Talks for more TV channels 
Meanwhile, Prasar Bharati is in talks with private
broadcasters to increase the number of television
channels on its DTH platform from 33 to 51. Though it
is planning to charge Rs 1 crore as technical fee for
carriage of the channels, broadcasters are not too
keen to fork out the money. 
Via
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/28/stories/2006042803981200.htm
Regards & 73?s
Mukesh Kumar
MUZAFFARPUR 
INDIA.



		
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