Prasar Bharati nod to DD for fresh bids under 'slot sale'

To attract "more variety" in content and "wider participation", the Prasar Bharati Board today approved a move to invite fresh proposals under the slot sale policy for Doordarshan.
The Prasar Bharati board in a meeting examined the progress made and the various issues involved in the implementation of the slot sale policy for Doordarshan that it had cleared in a meeting earlier, sources told PTI.
Under this policy, which the Prasar Bharati board headed by A Surya Prakash had cleared a few months ago, it was decided that Doordarshan would auction prime time slots, between 7-11 pm from Monday to Friday, on its national channel.

As per the new policy, producers would provide content in return for a share in the advertising revenue. Some hours for Saturdays and Sundays were also offered under the slot sale policy.
"The prime reason behind implementation of the slot sale policy has been the focus on quality of programming. Doordarshan had invited bids under this policy but certain technicalities have held back the implementation of it," a source said.
It is learnt that the Board examined the different issues related to the implementation of the slot sale policy in detail and it was felt that a fresh request for proposals should be issued which aims to invite "more variety" in content and "wider participation from production houses.

Doordarshan may soon issue fresh request for proposals for selected slots on its national channel keeping in mind the goal to attract a diverse range of programmes that it can offer, a senior official said.