The Government is considering opening up terrestrial television broadcasting so that operators can offer mobile television services in the country. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Anand Sharma, has told the Lok Sabha that the policy was currently being considered based on an earlier TRAI recommendation.
The role of media has come under the sharp scanner of the I&B Ministry, with Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, making a slew of announcements at the Lok Sabha on December 17. These included prescribed codes to be adhered for telecast of programmes and advertisements; recommendations of TRAI on political and religious TV channels; and self-regulation guidelines of NBA to incorporate emergency protocol.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) on December 17 confirmed the plans for the trading window, which will commence from December 22, 2008 and continue till January 22, 2008, allowing the eight franchises to trade players.
Hindi movie channels in India, largely, cope with the format of airing repeat titles. The premier of the big titles especially is done on the general entertainment channels. The year 2008 has also seen the launch of channels like UTV Movies that operate on a model where big titles are premiered on the Hindi movie channel itself. However, for most Hindi movie channels heads the ‘repeat model’ works.
A special interest bilingual (English & Hindi) magazine on immigration – ‘Immigration Today’ – was launched on December 17, 2008. Priced at Rs 35, the 56-page magazine is being initially distributed in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, besides Canada, England, Europe and Dubai. Brought out by First Immigration Publishers Pvt Ltd, this monthly magazine is published from Jalandhar.
The week 50 ratings from TAM Media Research are here. In the second week of normal programming for the Hindi general entertainment channels, data suggests that the new shows have managed decent opening numbers. Star Plus continues its ride on the top, followed by Colors and Zee TV. Sony, Star One and NDTV Imagine follow in that order.
Though considered to be an urban medium, the Internet is catching up fast in rural areas too. And with people increasingly spreading out to different parts of the globe, the Internet serves the purpose of keeping one in touch with one’s roots. Tapping into this mix of sentiment and technology are the language dailies.
It has been over two years since the National Readership Survey made any appearance on the Indian print industry scene. The NRSC, however, is still very keen on getting the survey back on track. A special committee has been meeting with research agencies with the agenda of getting the NRS in the market in 2009, and ensuring that it is a continuous survey in the next avatar.