MUMBAI: Revenue growth of free-to-air DTH platform Free Dish and savings from various rationalisation measures have placed state-run Prasar Bharati on the path to a sustainable operating surplus, said CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati on the competition of his two years in office.
"A key highlight of the transformation of the past five years that witnessed a significant acceleration in the past two years is the digital footprint of Prasar Bharati that saw more than 250 active social media handles and more than 70 active YouTube channels in multiple languages," stated Vempati who was named Prasar Bharati CEO in June 2017.
He also highlighted the fact that DD National and DD News breached the million-plus subscribers milestone on YouTube in addition to DD Archives and PB Sports crossing 100k subscribers.
"The public service broadcaster has made itself digitally relevant to the youth of a new India," he argued.
Vempati also pointed out the re-positioning of DD India has made an impact in the English news genre with consistently high ratings.
"All India Radio has embraced innovations to reach out through new age smart devices like Alexa and through Digital Radio allowing for wide news and sports coverage," he explained.
Looking forward, Vempati also listed out the challenges that his team is likely to encounter in going forward. "Several challenges lay ahead for the Public Service Broadcaster modernising systems, deepening use of IT, expanding the global footprint of Prasar Bharati, preparing the workforce for a generational shift in skills and revamping the content to continue to be relevant to new India," he noted.
Few weeks ago, Vempati handed his additional charge as CEO of Rajya Sabha TV to Manoj Kumar Pandey. Vempati had been leading RSTV along with his responsibilities has Prasar Bharati CEO since August 2017.
In April, Doordarshan director general Supriya Sahu had revealed that the pubcaster had turned profitable after recording the highest revenue in the last five years. Doordarshan's revenue rose to Rs 1113.7 crore and net revenue to Rs 943.8 crore in the year 2018-19.
