Prasar Bharati extends contract with ANI Media for another two years: I&B ministry

public broadcaster Prasar Bharati extended the contract with the news agency ANI Media Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur informed the Rajya Sabha for two more years.

Thakur also stated that the publisher’s initial contract with the news agency was for a period of three years starting August 1, 2019. The contract was extended for another two years after it expired in August 2022.

According to the contract, ANI provided live broadcasts for DD News.

“Prasar Bharati revealed that the original contract with M/s. ANI Media Private Limited (ANI) to provide live broadcasts of ANI for DD News was entered into for a three-year period from 08/01/2019 in accordance with an agreement signed on 07/27/2019. which has been extended for another two years,” Thakur said in response to a question from former Prasar Bharati CEO Jauhar Sircar.

In response to a question from Dr. John Brittas, a minister, said that Prasar Bharti has terminated its special agreement with United News of India (UNI) and Press Trust of India (PTI) October 15, 2020 The special arrangement between the parties has been in effect since 2006.

“Prasar Bharati reported that he has taken advantage of the United News of India (UNI) and Press Trust of India (PTI) subscription services through a special proportional arrangement since 2006. Prasar Bharati informed UNI and PTI on 10/15/2020 that Rule of Prasar Bharati decided to break the special arrangement,” Thakur said.

He also informed the upper house that Prasar Bharati receives news from several sources including Hindustan SamacharAccording to Thakur, Prasar Bharati signed an agreement with Hindusthan Samachar News Agency on February 14, 2023, which will run until March 31, 2025.

He also stated that the Hindustan Samachara news feed is used in news bulletins and other programs for TV, radio, digital and other distribution methods.

He added that Prasar Bharati originally signed an agreement with Hindustan Samachar on January 30, 2020 for two national and four regional languages.

Thakur also said that Hindusthan Samachar provided six regional services free of charge within one year and the same was extended for another two years.

“Hindusthan Samachar provided service to All India Radio and Doordarshan in the 1970s, even before the formation of Prasar Bharati. At the request of All India Radio and Doordarshan Prasar Bharati used the services of Hindusthan Samachar,” the minister said.