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Nirvana Is Here, It's TV

But the fledgling Prasar Bharati is yet to get its act together

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Nirvana Is Here, It's TV
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In India, 1997 was almost a watershed year. The mothballed Prasar Bharati Act was finally notified, ushering in autonomy for Doordarshan and Akashvani. Subsequently, some amendments, notably the abolition of a parliamentary committee to oversee the corporation, were brought about by a presidential ordinance. But sadly, when the Prasar Bharati board was announced, it appeared as if the search had ended in a geriatric ward. I am not casting aspersions on the integrity or ability of the members, but they are hardly the sort to take Indian broadcasting into the next millennium—more so as they seem to be carrying excessive ideological baggage. Though it's early days yet, we must decide whether Prasar Bharati will function as a public service broadcaster or a commercial media outfit.

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The year witnessed a shakeout in broadcasting. Many small programme providers found no takers and in a recession-ridden economy, large production houses reeled under high overheads. Among the channels, Sony gained the most with increased revenues and some interesting programmes. Star Plus, hamstrung by a hostile environment, made some progress: NDTV'S News, specially, gained a lot of credibility and some viewership. Zee TV, like the Times of India in the print media, has such a lead over its rivals that a certain ennui is creeping into its programming. Home TV, TVI and ATN barely survived.

In the new year, the preponderance of film-led shows across channels will continue. Whether the critics like it or not, they will watch more countdowns, more soaps, more antaksharis and mythologicals. Those who are complaining can always switch to Discovery, BBC, CNN or NBC. And 30 other "niche" channels.

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As the maha guru of information, Alvin Toffler, puts it, the power of the state has always rested on its control of force, wealth and knowledge. What is different today is the changed relationship among these three. The new super-symbolic system of wealth creation thrusts a wide range of information-related issues into the political agenda. The all-pervasive influence of TV in today's world cannot be denied. Nothing will illustrate this better than the forthcoming elections.

In a country with a high rate of illiteracy, TV informs and educates even as it entertains. The myth that sovereignty includes state control over radio and television signals has long been shattered. More and more countries, even corporations, are getting on to the global network. Sooner than later India too will have to free its airwaves. With over 50 million TV sets and 20 million homes linked to cable with direct-to-home telecast round the corner (despite the foolish ban by the government), India is on the threshold of a major infotainment revolution.

Television has an insatiable hunger for programmes. And technology is exposing the viewers to choices. It would become increasingly difficult to satisfy individual entertainment and information needs through a New Delhi-centric viewpoint. It is time politicians realise that the power shift from money to information is an irreversible truth. Ironically, at such a critical time of historical transition, we are still debating about DTH and foreign equity in a seamless world of global broadcasting.

In the great Broadcasting Bill debate, most people are talking about a "cultural invasion". They seem to forget that the future of TV lies in its ethnocentricity. Only local programming will have an impact. Let the foreign media bring their money, but they will need our programming. The DTH ban makes me wonder whether our policy-makers have a clue about the future. DTH is just the beginning. The next step will be multimedia.

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A composite television set will be wired to computer databases, pay TV channels and will also receive stereo broadcasts on the FM. This should happen in the next two years. With rapid development in telecommunication technology and advent of fibre optics and integrated switching digital networking (ISDN), multimedia will be the favourite toy of upwardly mobile Indians. By the end of the century, we should have hi-definition TV with a wide screen of 1,125 lines rather than the conventional 626 lines resolution to rival 35mm film in quality.

Nicholas Negroponte says in his seminal book Being Digital: "Today, multimedia is not a desktop or living room experience because the apparatus is so clunky. This will change dramatically with small, bright, thin, flexible high-resolution displays. Multimedia will someday be as subtle and rich as the feel of paper or the smell of leather...mixing fixed chunks of video, audio and data." All within the confines of your home. This may take some time but 1998 will definitely see changes in the TV world—shutdowns, acquisitions & mergers, new satellites, new channels and, who knows, even a new Broadcasting Act. Only one thing will not change. Programming. Happy viewing.

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