Govt plans an OTT platform, direct-to-mobile TV, FM auction to increase footprint

In a bid to increase its footprint, the government is planning a fresh auction of FM radio stations, roll out an OTT platform, and conduct trials of direct-to-mobile television broadcast this year, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra said.

- 

“We are also working towards an auction of FM radio stations this year. We hope to take FM radio to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities this year,” he said addressing the Broadcast Engineering Society Expo.

He said though there were a large number of FM radio stations, the service covered only 60 per cent of the country.

Chandra said the government has made an allocation of ₹ 2,500 crore over a four-year period for the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme to widen the reach of Prasar Bharati, including in the Left-wing extremism, border and strategic areas.