Huge rise in number of television channels

New Delhi: With over 800 television channels in the country, about 260 applications are pending before the information and broadcasting ministry for the launch of new channels.

The I&B ministry has already given clearance to 40 channels this year. While another noticeable trend that has emerged is that, in 2014 and 2015, the number of non-news and current affairs channels that are coming up is significantly more than that of news channels.

Sources stated that the actual number of private satellite channels that have been granted permission over the years is 955, although 125 permits were cancelled for various reasons.
It is understood that most of the cancellations were due to reasons like, non-operationalisation of the channel, non-submission of Performance Bank Guarantee or surrender of permission, etc.

There are 830 private satellite TV channels with valid permission in the country, of which 398 are news and current affairs channels, while 432 are non-news and current affairs channels.

In 2012, 37 channels were granted permission and, although that number slumped to a meagre seven in 2013, in 2014, the number of channels that were given permissions was 45.
Further, till November this year, the I&B ministry granted 42 permissions.