The state broadcaster is in the process of switching satellite loyalties.

Almost all of Doordarshan‘s regional channels have started migration to Insat 3C which became operational from 22 February. Isro‘s latest multi-purpose geostatinary satellite is expected to boost satellite communication capabilities of the country, even as Insat 2C, which is nearing the end of its productive life, is being phased out. Most of the channels were earlier on Insat 2C and 2E, but are now being beamed via Insat 3C.

These include DD9 (Karnataka), DD11 (Gujarati), DD4 (Kerala), DD 10 (Maharashtra) and DD Gyan Darshan, the educational channel that was started two years ago.

Insat 3C has 24 normal C-band transponders, six extended C-band transponders, two S-band broadcast satellite transponders and a mobile satellite service transponder. Isro has said that there is already a large commitment from Indian users for the use of the satellite. Insat 2A to be launched later this year, are targeted at domestic users whereas Insat-3C was mainly built for India coverage.

Prasar Bharati has invited global tenders from Internet facility providers to upgrade the AIR Internet service to a multi-channel multi-lingual Internet radio station providing streaming audio.

The planning and development unit of the pubcaster has publicly invited commercial offers for the overhaul of All India Radio, so far a public service broadcaster focussed on educational and entertainment programmes.

With the private sector poised to invade the airwaves via FM, the government seems to be gearing up for the challenge by providing multi-lingual streaming audio.

The tender documents are available at Akashwani Bhavan, New Delhi from 11 March. An earnest money deposit of Rs 50,000 accompanies the tender documents, the deadline for which is 12 pm on 16 April.