Prasar Bharati to launch 50 new channels

HRD ministry to facilitate content

Public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati will launch 50 new educational channels by May next year after the HRD ministry agreed to provide content for the channels. The new channels will largely focus on airing live telecast of teachings across universities and colleges in the country.

The broadcaster and the ministry have formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with HRD ministry providing financial assistance and content. The cabinet had in 2009 approved the National Mission on Education through Information and communication technology (NME-ICT) to ensure the reach of content to students through television and envisaged launching 1000 DTH channels.

“We already have the infrastructure in place for the 1000 channels and our plan is to take it on a phased manner”, Jawahar Sircar, CEO of Prasar Bharati said. The channels will deliver live telecast of lectures and will use content from institutions such as IIT’s, NIT’s and other central universities. The government has earmarked Rs 250 crore during the next year for the project.