MUMBAI: Amid controversy surrounding NaMo TV, a channel exclusively featuring content related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, sources within India’s top DTH operators have told Indiantelevision.com that it isn’t, in fact, a standard television channel. While a Tata Sky source said NaMo TV is a “special service with content provided by the BJP” a Dish TV spokesperson described it as an “ad sales-related service”.

Earlier, a tweet from Tata Sky calling NaMo TV a "Hindi news service" raised several questions. However, that was soon clarified by the company.

"NaMo TV is not a Hindi news service. If someone in the frontline at Tata Sky has tweeted or said that it is a news service, it is a mistake," Tata Sky CEO Harit Nagpal told NDTV.

He also added that NaMo TV "does not fall into any genre" and special services do not need a licence.

Earlier, the Election Commission had sought a report from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on NaMo TV, which was launched on 31 March.

Throughout the week, several media reports citing MIB sources said the channel was an advertising platform that didn’t need the ministry’ licence.

The 24-hour channel borrows PM Modi’s image for its logo and is available on all the major DTH platforms in the country.