Tel govt aims to have own satellite to air channels

The Telangana government would like to have its own satellite in orbit to telecast channels with good content, state IT minister K T Rama Rao said here today.
He was speaking after the launch of T-SAT network of two television channels (Vidya and Nipuna) of the state government which telecast content on distance learning, agriculture extension, rural development, tele-medicine and e-governance.
"Today, we are broadcasting two channels by using satellite technology. But, eventually the goal is...Not today...That day will come sometime in the future. We should have our own special satellite in the orbit," Rao said.
The state government can telecast good content by having some channels at a time when the negative impact of western culture is being seen in the society, he said.

"Through that satellite, if necessary, not two, but the state government would work actively (on) some 10 to 12 channels. Today, we see the developments in society. We see the impact of western culture. We can do many types of programmes on behalf of the government," he said.
Rao recalled that the ISRO had recently launched a record 104 satellites in a single mission.

The educational content used to be telecast under the brand name of 'Mana TV' in undivided Andhra Pradesh, but the state government sought to expand its programming, Rao said.
The state government scaled up the programming to help children and youth in areas of education and preparation for different competitive examinations, he said.

The channels aim to offer content in different areas, including health and agriculture, for the benefit of the masses, the minister added.