DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

DD non-prime time slots programmes invited; FCTs specified

EKTA KAPOOR

NEW DELHI: After facing partial success in a third try for the e-auction for prime time slots, Doordarshan has now invited programmes in sponsored category for serials, game shows and musical programmes in the non-prime time slots on DD National.

Applications can be sent by 20 January 2017 and the proposals have to be submitted with a processing fee along with a pilot episode in a professional optical disc, HD format and 16:9 aspect ratio.

According to Doordarshan, the number of episodes should not normally exceed 52 episodes of weekly serials and 260 episodes of five days a week of daily soaps.

Those applying for serials in non-prime time have to submit detailed story line of the serial with break-up of the story in episodes and broad outline of treatment; synopsis of each episode and detailed scenario script of at least four episodes.

The applicant will also have to furnish personal and professional details while making the application and no change can be made in the production team without the prior consent of Doordarshan.

In cases of game shows and musical programmes, needing expensive sets, the producer may submit the design of the set along with his/her proposal. The design of the set will also require the approval of Doordarshan before production starts. The producer must give an undertaking that s/he would have no objection if the programme is carried on Doordarshan’s DTH service free of charge with or without commercials.

The proposals received will be processed first by the evaluation committee and then by the selection committee. The selection committee, while according its approval to the proposal, will clearly specify in case of a serialised TV programme the number of episodes for which it has been approved as well as the duration of each episode and the time band (primetime, mid-primetime, non-primetime, etc.).

The producer will pay Doordarshan telecast fee as may be prescribed from time to time in Doordarshan’s Commercial Rate Card. The payment of the telecast fee will be the joint and separate responsibility of the producer and his/her designated marketing agency.

The producer will be entitled to utilise free commercial time (FCT) as may be specified from time to time. The producer can utilise the FCT before or after or in between the programme. In addition to FCT, the producer will be entitled to a credit line of 10 seconds each at the beginning and at the end of the programme. The credit line will include only the name of the sponsor/product, as the case may be. The sponsor will, however, be allowed to use in the credit line his/her logo, lettering style, music/sound effects, etc., as per Doordarshan rules.

In the earlier e-auctions, Balaji Telefilms bid successfully for four slots and Saaibaba Telefilms bagged two slots on Doordarshan’s prime time slot auctions. BAG Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, failed to pocket any slot.

However, Doordarshan sources had told indiantelevision.com that as the RFP (request for proposal) document had made it clear that no party could bid for more than three slots in a week, Balaji may lose one slot after full examination of the bids received.

No bid was received for three slots: 10 pm to 10.30 pm and 10.30 to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday, and for 7pm to 8pm slot on Sunday. Thus, the successful bids by Balaji are for 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 8.30 - 9pm from Monday to Friday, and 9 pm to 9.30 pm and 9.30 pm pm to 10.00 pm from Monday to Thursday. Saai won the bids for 7.30 pm to 8 pm from Monday to Friday, and 8 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Thus, the two production houses got 19 of the 34 weekday slots and two weekend slots. Sixteen slots remained unsold.

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Balaji & Saaibaba bag prime time slots on DD National