The Indian government has said keeping pace with the march of digital technology in the area of broadcasting, country’s pubcaster Prasar Bharati is phasing out analog terrestrial TV transmitters.

The government added that such closures of analog services are being replaced by Doordarshan’s digital DTH service, Free Dish. The DTH service is free to air and doesn’t require monthly subscriptions after an initial investment has been made by a consumer in purchasing a dish antennae and STB.

“Prasar Bharati has informed that in view of emerging broadcasting trends and adoption of satellite and digital technologies, the analog terrestrial TV transmitters have become obsolete and are being phased out in various parts of the country, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar told parliament last week.

According to the minister, to offset phasing of analog services, “multichannel TV coverage through Prasar Bharati’s DD Free Dish” is being provided.

Prasar Bharati is India’s autonomous national broadcaster that owns and operates DD and All India Radio.

Javadekar also stated that a federal scheme,  ‘Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development’ with an amount of Rs.619.48 crore (Rs. 6194.8 million) has been approved for Doordarshan network during the period 2017-2020.

The fund is to be used for modernization, augmentation and replacement of transmitters and broadcast equipment, and upgrading of Doordarshan relay centres and studios.