Prasar Bharati's revenue dips by Rs 3.23 bn in FY'13

NEW DELHI: The financial woes of the Prasar Bharati continue well into the current financial year. For the nine months ended 31 December 2012, the pubcaster has seen a Rs 3.23 billion drop in revenues despite having simulcast shows from private satellite broadcasters like Star Plus? Aamir Khan-anchored Satyamev Jayate and Zee TV?s Ramayan. The Olympics in July also did not help shore up the revenues this fiscal.

Prasar Bharati has reported a revenue of Rs 10.86 billion for the first nine months of the fiscal, down from Rs 14.09 billion a year ago.

The loss, however, has narrowed as the pubcaster has drastically reduced its costs. The expenditure incurred by Prasar Bharati for the nine months ended December 2012 was Rs 23.95 billion compared to Rs 33.40 billion a year ago.
 
The Government had in September last year approved a Financial Restructuring package for Prasar Bharati comprising 100 per cent salary support for five years, waiver of accumulated government debt, space and spectrum charges etc.

The increase in expenditure during the past few years has been primarily due to the implementation of various recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.