NEW DELHI: After two failed attempts to attract good software producers to bid for slots in its prime time, Doordarshan has thrown the ball back in the court of Prasar Bharati.

A senior DD official told indiantelevision.com that a meeting of the Prasar Bharati Board had been convened on 17 October to discuss the issue, and he agreed that this may mean a further relaxation in the eligibility norms.

The pubcaster had attracted seven producers in the first attempt in June, and just three in the second attempt on 5 September despite relaxed norms. However, none of the bidders was able to meet all the criteria set by Doordarshan.

In the criteria at present, producers/production houses who have produced at least 200 hours of general entertainment programming including feature film in any Indian language in the last three years were eligible to apply.

Following a revision of terms, the Prasar Bharati Board had said in early August that production houses with a turnover of minimum Rs 3 crore per annum in the field of TV and film production in the last three financial years were eligible. The earnest money deposit was Rs 500,000 for each weekday slot. Bidders could apply for one or more slots. For those applying for three slots, the earnest money was Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million).

Applicants for weekend slots in the genres of reality, game, quiz, should have produced 100 hours of such content in the last three years, it had been stated.

When the scheme was announced in June, only those with production in television and a minimum of 300 hours had been allowed. But, this was changed to include film production houses and 200 hours of entertainment programming.

After the meeting of the board and finalization of its new norms, the official said DD will float a new Request For Proposal (RFP) document with several flexible eligibility conditions to invite fresh and good quality content on its DD National as a pilot.

Successful bidder(s) will produce fresh programmes in various genres of general entertainment programme for Doordarshan adhering to the programming/broadcasting codes of Prasar Bharati.

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