RAJYA SABHA
Doordarshan/AIR have
been improving programming structure and policies to counter the
competition, while discharging their mandate as a Public Service
Broadcaster. Various steps like appointment of expert Advisory
committees, revised guidelines for bringing transparency and objectivity
in programming, improvement in transmission quality and awards
for excellence, have been taken to enhance the quality and content
of Doordarshan programmes. AIR is also laying emphasis on improving
quality of its software. Doordarshan/AIR are public service broadcasters
and cover many genres and themes of programmes, while private
satellite channels/FM licenses are primarily driven by commercial
interests.
The growth of private
channels is providing competition to Doordarshan network in terms
of viewership and commercial revenue. This is however, limited
mainly to cable and satellite homes, which constitute about 40
per cent/45 per cent of the total television homes. Doordarshan
has the only terrestrial network, to which 89.6 per cent of the
population of the country has access. All India Radio is beginning
to face competition with the entry of private FM Radio operators
in some cities.
This information
was given by Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Sushma
Swaraj in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
