Prasar Bharati plans to bring TV channels to smartphones without internet, trials show promise: Report

Broadcasters have been conducting trials in several cities, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Saankhya Labs using high-power and low-power transmitters

By  Storyboard18Oct 21, 2024 9:04 AM
Prasar Bharati plans to bring TV channels to smartphones without internet, trials show promise: Report
Prasar Bharati explores internet-free mobile TV streaming with D2M technology

India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is reportedly planning to bring live telecasts of the TV channels on smartphones without the internet.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has confirmed that the broadcasters have been conducting trials in several cities, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and Saankhya Labs using high-power and low-power transmitters.

Saankhya Labs is a subsidiary of Tejas Networks. It is a wireless communication solutions provider based in Karnataka.

Citing officials, the English daily said that so far the experiments for direct-to-mobile (D2M) technology have been successful. However, to take it further, transmitters on cellular towers and chips in phones are required.

Elaborating on the experiment, an official told TNE that the live broadcasting of TV channels on mobile phones is done using broadcast signals like radio. In this process, the devices will require specific hardware to receive and decode broadcast signals.

The technology will not hinder the quality of the video. It will enable high-quality streaming of both video and audio as it will not be dependent on internet speed.

In 2019, the MIB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for research collaboration in areas such as D2M broadcasting, rural broadband, convergence with 5G, etc,

Separately, Prasar Bharati is also planning to move into the OTT space. Last month Stgoryboard18 reported that the OTT platform will be operating on a revenue-sharing basis, with content providers receiving 65% of the net revenue from subscription or transaction-backed content, while Prasar Bharati will retain 35%. The same revenue-sharing model will apply to the satellite channels onboarded to the platform.

First Published on Oct 21, 2024 9:04 AM

More from Storyboard18

Brand Makers

WPP's Mark Read stresses on 'more efficient operations and strict capital allocation' amid market pressures

WPP's Mark Read stresses on 'more efficient operations and strict capital allocation' amid market pressures

Television

EXCLUSIVE: Prasar Bharati gears up for massive D2M trials, bidding to begin in a year

EXCLUSIVE: Prasar Bharati gears up for massive D2M trials, bidding to begin in a year

How it Works

Delhi HC grants tax exemption to Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation

Delhi HC grants tax exemption to Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation

Television

Parliamentary panel proposes unified media council to regulate digital, print, and broadcast content

Parliamentary panel proposes unified media council to regulate digital, print, and broadcast content

Television

TV broadcasters' margins set to improve amid digital expansion: Crisil Ratings

TV broadcasters' margins set to improve amid digital expansion: Crisil Ratings

Television

JioStar integrates Sports18 channels to Star Sports Network

JioStar integrates Sports18 channels to Star Sports Network

How it Works

South India and content partnerships to drive Pay TV margins in 2025

South India and content partnerships to drive Pay TV margins in 2025

Television

MIB updates Parliamentary Committee on cable TV industry issues

MIB updates Parliamentary Committee on cable TV industry issues