26 new channels cleared by I&B

Pending proposals of 26 new television channels have been cleared by the Information and Broadcast Ministry, taking the total number of channels in the country to above 800.
I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said he has cleared 26 pending proposals of new channels in news, current affairs and entertainment and some more clearances are in the offing.
Ministry officials said at present there are 798 television channels in the country and with 26 new channels cleared the total number has gone up to 824.
They also said 4-5 more proposals are being cleared and a final nod will be given to them soon.

Besides these, sources said pending proposals of some more new channels might get cleared in the next few days.
Javadekar said he was clearing all the files that had been "deliberately" kept pending for long by the UPA regime.
On television companies seeking to establish additional channels, the Minister said his ministry was working with the Union Home Ministry to see if there was a possibility that these companies would not require security clearance for their new channel as they already have it for their existing ones.