India’s public broadcasting agency Prasar Bharati is gradually shutting down the terrestrial analog transmission of the Doordarshan network with an aim to fully go digital.

In a note to zonal heads, Prasar Bharati said it will be shutting DD’s analog transmissions in a phased manner and shift viewers to DD‘s FTA DTH platform FreeDish.

The note indicated that 152 analog transmitters will be closed by October 31, 2021, while 109 such transmitters, operating in LWE/ border/aspirational areas, would be operated in a single shift with immediate effect and to be closed by December 31, 2021.

It has also been decided that DD’s analog towers, which are rented to private parties and where no AIR FM operations exist or proposed, are to be vacated.

“Vacation of other rented/Govt sites to be taken upon case to case basis,” Prasar Bharati has noted.

Last year, Prasar Bharati, parent of DD, had decided to completely phase out the analog system and move to digital video broadcasting.

Zonal Heads (Broadcast) of all the zones have been requested to ensure the single shift transmission policy is implemented immediately.

Section heads have also been directed to take adequate steps for re-deployment of the staff working in the soon-to-be-closed transmitters immediately as per HR policy.