Three new channels get licences

The new government has issued licences for Patrika TV Rajasthan, ABP Sanjha and Peace of Mind.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued licences to three new channels. Of these, two are news channels. The two news channels are - Media Content and Communications Services' (MCCS) Punjabi news channel, ABP Sanjha and Rajasthan Patrika's Patrika TV Rajasthan, which is allowed to air news in Hindi, English and all other languages, as mentioned on the MIB website. The third channel is God Media's Peace of Mind, which will air content in Hindi, English and all other Indian languages.

Rajasthan Patrika already owns a cable TV channel and Patrika TV Rajasthan will be its first satellite channel. The other publications in the TV business include ABP Group (ABP Ananda, ABP Majha, ABP News), Dina Thanthi (Thanthi TV), Gujarat Samachar (GSTV News), Andhra Jyothi (ABN Andhra Jyothi), Sakshi Group (Sakshi TV) and Sandesh (Sandesh News). The Rajasthan Patrika Group is also into radio with Tadka 95 FM, outdoor advertising with Planet Outdoor, events with Patrika Even and education with Patrika In Education (PI).

According to the latest 'status of permitted satellite TV channels in India', 798 private satellite TV Channels have permission to broadcast. Of these, 397 are news and current affairs channels and the rest, non-news and current affairs channels.

The other channels, which have got licences issued this year, include Satlon News, Fata Fati, Maha Movie, Sandesh News, SET One, AXN HD, NSN News, Daati Ahsas, Satkar, VIP News, Prabhatam LIFELINE, Green TV, iConcerts and Mi Marathi.