Prasar Bharati, India's statutory public service broadcaster, is shifting from legacy TV/radio (DD, Akashvani) to a digital-first content strategy anchored by the WAVES OTT platform and a new Pay-Per-View (PPV) Framework[1].
Relevant to UPSC GS-II (governance, statutory bodies, media regulation) and GS-III (IT, digital economy, IPR/content monetisation).
2. Why in the News
PIB release, 06 Feb 2026 announced adoption of digital-first content strategy and rollout of Pay-Per-View Framework for WAVES [1].
Follow-on PIB updates: WAVES OTT crossed 84 lakh registered users[2]; MeitY notification mandating built-in satellite tuners in all TV sets sold in India — leading to shelving of DD Free Dish set-top box distribution plan [1][2].
3. Background & Evolution
Prasar Bharati Act, 1990; corporation operational from 23 Nov 1997 as autonomous public broadcaster (parent: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting) — covers Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio/Akashvani.
WAVES OTT launched November 2024 as PB's streaming platform for TV/radio channels, films, web series, archival, and live events [3].
Content Sourcing Policy 2024 notified for Akashvani, DD and WAVES sourcing [1].
Pay-Per-View Framework, 2025 introduced for digital/OTT content acquisition [1].
Draft Content Syndication Policy, 2025 to monetise DD/Akashvani archives, live coverages [4].
BIND Scheme (Broadcasting Infrastructure & Network Development) — ₹2,539.61 crore outlay for DD/Akashvani modernisation, HD channels, WAVES [5].
Satellite tuner mandate: Issued by MeitY (not MIB) — built-in satellite tuner in all TV sets sold in India; consequently DD Free Dish STB distribution proposal dropped[1].
Technological: Shift from terrestrial/satellite-only DD/AIR to OTT streaming; MeitY tuner mandate integrates broadcast + IP-based reception in single hardware [1].
Social / Demographic: Digital-first explicitly targets youth, who consume primarily on smartphones/OTT — public broadcaster repositioning for relevance [1].
Governance / Federalism: PB is autonomous under 1990 Act yet remains MIB-dependent for funding; questions on editorial independence persist (Sam Pitroda Committee legacy).
Strategic / Cultural: WAVES projected as vehicle for linguistic & cultural diversity and soft power; "clean family entertainment" positioning [S6 (implicit)].
Akashvani = rebranded All India Radio; both AIR and DD function under Prasar Bharati.
MeitY tuner notification led to dropping of DD Free Dish STB distribution proposal [1].
Draft policy of 2025 for syndication = Content Syndication Policy, 2025[4].
WAVES content scope: TV/radio channels, web series, films, live events, archival [3].
8. Mains Relevance
GS-II: Statutory bodies; role and accountability of public broadcasters; government policies for vulnerable sections (linguistic minorities via regional content).
GS-III: Digital economy; IT and computers; IPR/content monetisation; awareness in IT/communication.
Sample stems:
1. "Examine how Prasar Bharati's transition to a digital-first content strategy reconciles its public service mandate with commercial monetisation imperatives."
2. "Discuss the implications of mandating built-in satellite tuners in television sets for last-mile broadcasting access in India."
3. "Critically evaluate the autonomy of Prasar Bharati under the 1990 Act in light of recent content sourcing and syndication policies."
9. Related Topics to Study Next
Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 — statutory framework.
IT Rules, 2021 (Intermediary & Digital Media Ethics) — OTT regulatory parallel.
Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 — legacy broadcast regulation.