The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has directed 53 TV channels and six teleports whose licences are ending in 2017 to apply for renewal six months prior to their date of expiry. Some of the leading broadcasters whose TV channel licences are up for renewal are Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), ABP News Network, Asianet Communications, Raj Television, Disney India, Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd and 9X Media. The six teleports are Brahmaputra Tele-Productions, Planetcast Media Services, Ortel Communications, Pragya Vision, Rachana Television, and Indiasign.
The MIB notified all broadcasting companies and teleport operators that for TV channels that have not applied six months prior to the date of expiry of the permission period, this notice may be treated as a 21-day notice for applying. In case the companies do not apply for renewal of permission, the ministry will understand that the permission holder is not interested in further extension and it will take further action. Companies interested in renewing licences will have to provide details of the company and of their board of directors, as prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), along with supporting documents, to enable the MIB to process fresh security clearance from the MHA. The applicants will also need to disclose details if the company owners or directors have any preventive detention proceedings or criminal proceedings against them. The applicants are required to provide a prescribed permission fee in the case of uplinking/downlinking TV channels/teleports. For renewal of permission, the companies have also been requested to furnish an affidavit stating that they will abide by all the provisions of the latest uplinking/downlinking guidelines and other relevant instructions/modifications issued from time to time as per provision regarding renewal under the relevant guidelines. They also have to enclose the details of their board of directors and the latest shareholding pattern including foreign direct investment (FDI), if any, accompanied by requisite Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval wherever applicable. The applicants may also ensure submission of the annual renewal fee for both uplinking and downlinking at rates as applicable as per extant guidelines and for the period that may be due.
As on 30 November, there are 892 satellite TV channels having valid permission in India. These include 400 news channels and 492 non-news channels. 782 channels can uplink and downlink into India. There are some 90 channels that can only downlink into India and 20 that can only be uplinked from.
Forwarded By:Jainender Nigam,PB NewsDesk ,prasarbharati.newsdesk@gmail.com