| In India, private companies are given licences to operate
only FM radio stations in select cities, while AIR broadcasts in medium
and short waves too throughout the country.
Earlier this month, while taking major decisions on broadcast rights
of Indian cricket, the BCCI had said that though AIR would be given
the rights free, it would be on a non-exclusive basis as radio rights
would be marketed separately like DTH, IPTV and mobile telephony.
BCCI is yet to respond to the letter that gives an all new twist
to the broadcast rights issue.
Pubcaster’s arrears to be recovered legally
Meanwhile, the financially-burdened public broadcaster Prasar Bharati
has initiated legal action and arbitration proceedings to recover
arrears running over Rs 1,750 million from defaulting agencies,
according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
"Arbitration proceedings/legal action have been initiated
to recover the arrears," Information and Broadcasting minister
P R Dasmunsi informed Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in a written reply.
Asked whether the government planned to revive the annual licencing
system for radio and TV sets or a one-time tax to finance Prasar
Bharati, Dasmunsi said no specific proposals were under consideration.
"However, various ideas have been mooted to strengthen Prasar
Bharati's autonomous financial base," PTI quoted the minister
as saying.
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