DD panel to junk sub-standard shows

The state-run broadcaster, Doordarshan, which has faced repeated criticism for telecasting below par content by Parliamentary panels and government committees has decided to start a weekly review of its programmes with an option to discontinue them if they don’t meet the required standards.

Sources said the national broadcaster has constituted a Programme Review Group (PRG) for each of its channels, like DD National, Kisan and Bharati, respectively, to streamline its content issues and improve the quality of broadcast content.

Doordarshan DG Supriya Sahu heads the PRG that has the respective channel heads (ADGs) and other officials as its members.

“This is Doordarshan’s first such initiative that is aimed at improving the quality of programmes. The PRG meets every week and review the performance of content aired on the channels,” said Ms Sahu.

The committee will take stock of TRPs of programmes and statistics will be shared with producers to make them aware of the response, she said.

The aim of forming the group is to streamline the content and air quality programmes in Doordarshan. The state broadcaster has faced criticism from several quarters, including Parliamentary panels and government committees, for airing “sub-standard” content. “If any programme is found to be below par, we will warn the respective producers, and if the problem persists we may also pull them off air,” the DG Doordarshan added.