Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati has decided to auction prime time slots, between 7-11 pm, on its national channel as per a new policy under which the producers will provide content in return for a share in the advertising revenue.
The modalities of the new ‘slot sale’ policy were discussed in a meeting of Prasar Bharati Board, which was also attended by Bollywood actor Kajol, who was nominated earlier this year.
Sources said in the meeting chaired by Prasar Bharati chairperson A Surya Prakash, it was felt that e-auctions could be held for the 7-11 pm slots for all the seven days of the week barring Saturdays. The new policy is expected to be rolled out by October 1.
“We have decided that on Saturdays, Prasar Bharati Board would reserve the 7-8 pm slot for its own content and the 8 to 11 pm slot will be auctioned. For the rest of the days of the week the 7-11 pm band will be auctioned. We hope that the slot sale policy comes into effect from October onwards,” a board member said.
Sources also said the programmes approved earlier under the Self-Financed Commission (SFC) scheme, under which Doordarshan acquires programmes and then recovers cost through ad revenue, will also be utilised by the channel.