venerdì 3 aprile 2020

India: AIR ESD channels "non essential" services

"Broadcast Guidelines issued by India’s Public Service Broadcaster, Prasar Bharati

India’s Public Service Broadcaster Prasar Bharati has developed special guidelines to be followed by All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DDI) during the lockdown period in the country as a precautionary measure to prevent from COVID 19.
Among the guidelines, the following 3 TV channels will remain on a live mode to address any emergency situation. DD National – To run as it is with a reduced manpower & appropriately modified FPC DD News – To run as it is with a reduced manpower & appropriately modified FPC. Clean stream of the same to be available without ticker, and logo for relay by Hindi belt channels. DD India – To run as it is with a reduced manpower &appropriately modified FPC. Clean stream of the same to be available without ticker, and logo for relay by Hindi belt channels.
For more info please see: http://prasarbharati.gov.in/pbcircular/Program_Related_471087.pdf"

https://www.abu.org.my/2020/03/27/broadcast-guidelines-issued-by-indias-public-service-broadcaster-prasar-bharati/

This circular designated the AIR external services and the short wave transmitters used for the ESD as non essential. The domestic short wave transmitters were not mentioned (in contrast to medium wave, FM and TV) and this explains why these transmitters are still heard. As much as I can say from listening in Europe, the usual transmitters are still audible. And I think there is still some difference in their programming.
It remains a mystery why Bengaluru 9865 kHz was shut down, while the other channel for Vividh Bharati, Aligarh 9380 kHz remained active.
(Dr Hansjoerg Biener 3 April 2020 via dxindia io group)