The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has undertaken several policy initiatives to facilitate a vibrant information order in the last 10 years. These measures have aimed at bringing about a paradigm shift in the key indicators constituting the critical domains within the information, broadcasting and film sector.
The initiatives undertaken by the ministry has enabled the discourse of the ‘India story’ to be disseminated across different platforms. The ministry has also aimed at providing quality information to the masses, thereby ensuring that the inclusive growth perspective is spread.
In the broadcasting sector, the ministry has pursued policies with a view to harness the benefits of technology and ensure that a framework is built enabling growth and change for the broadcasting landscape in the country. Currently, India is one of the largest broadcasting industries in the world. The total number of TV channels has increased from 130 in 2004 to 788 in 2014. The country today has the third largest TV market with close to 154 million TV households, next only to China and USA. Concurrently, the size of the television industry has witnessed an exponential growth from `18,300 crore in 2006 and is expected to be valued at `50,140 crore in 2014.
Broadcasting sector in India has benefitted from a series of policy initiatives launched by the ministry. The digitisation process has brought about a paradigm shift in the sector ensuring transparency which subsequently has defined the contours of orderly growth. Two phases of cable TV digitisation has been completed. A total of three crore set top boxes have been installed in these phases. The remaining two phases are expected to be completed by December 2014. The introduction of various policies and guidelines across the broadcasting space has enabled the industry to reach out and engage with the diverse consumer base in the country. Some of the key policy guidelines implemented by the ministry have been as follows: policy guidelines for up-linking and down-linking of TV channels (amended in 2011), policy guidelines for HITS Broadcasting Services (2009), policy guidelines for IPTV (2008), revision of FDI Policy in five segments of Broadcasting Sector (2012), policy guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India (2014), Policy guidelines for Community Radio Stations (2002 and amended in 2006), policy guidelines for FM radio Phase-II & III, policy guidelines on direct to home services (DTH) (2001). These guidelines have ensured an enabling environment for the broadcasting industry in India to grow and adhere to international standards. The policies initiated by the ministry to promote the FM component in radio have ensured a vibrant growth in the sector. While 245 FM channels were launched in 85 cities since 2005, in the third phase 839 channels are proposed to be launched in 294 cities. Due to the impetus given by the FM policy, the size of the Radio industry has grown from 600 crore in 2006 and is expected to be valued at 1,540 crore in 2014.