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The increasing frequency with which India‘s pubcaster DD is being left out of business of sports telecasts has got the goat of Doordarshan director general SY Quraishi. Speaking to indiantelevision.com he said that the Prasar Bharati - overseeing the work of DD and All India Radio - was persevering with its proposal to the Indian government to bring in a law mandating that the telecast rights of any important event - and specially those where India has an interest - be awarded to DD.
The Prasar Bharati had moved the government on this front last month. And its hopes are high that things will get kickstarted during the next Parliamentary session. "If all goes well, we may see something happening on this front during the monsoon session of Parliament," Quraishi said.
If the Indian government decides to bring in a law which makes it mandatory for the telecast rights of important global events to be necessarily given to DD also apart from any other broadcaster beaming into India, then certain amendments have to be made in the Cable TV (Networks) Regulation Act. And if it manages to push the amendment through, it will be a fait accompli for the pubcaster.
A private broadcaster quipped in lighter vein, "Only a DD can show DDgiri." Touche!!!
