Doordarshan Koz on the verge of closure

Kozhikode: The Doordarshan kendra here, which has been functioning without a programme producer for a long time,  is heading for closure. The centre which is celebrating its 60th anniversary has not contributed to its one-hour slot allocated per week. After K.T. Sivanand, programme producer,  was transferred two years ago, it was under the direction of a producer based in Thrissur. Lack of digitisation of the equipment and procedures has also hit the kendra. The cameramen and engineering staff remain jobless as their equipment are obsolete."Currently in Kerala, only DD Thiruvananthapuram is digitised with the transmitter, while work is progressing in Kochi," said an official. "Digitisation of DD kendras in 63 places was sanctioned for implementation in two phases in the 12th plan during the UPA regime," he said.

"Though the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had ordered in January 2018 that the digitisation should be completed by 2023, nothing has happened so far. Here, a separate a building and generator facility are already completed. But there is no progress in the digitisation procedures," he said.

"The DD kendra needs digitisation, with a digital transmitter, two high-definition cameras, one video switcher and two digital video cassette recorder changing the existing JVC, Sony  recorder," the official said.The events in Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram, Kasargod and Wayanad are not reported by the Doordarshan here now.

A programme generation facility, a small studio which can produce news and cultural programmes for DD news and DD Bharati, also remains dormant without a permanent news correspondent.