NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has put on hold the prime time slots auctioned to Ektaa Kapoor-managed Balaji Telefilms and Saaibaba Telefilms following instructions from the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB).

Doordarshan sources told Indiantelevision.com that the action was taken after a directive from the office of the MIB secretary in mid-August, just before two of the slotted programmes were slated to go on air on DD National.

The sources, who did not want to be identified, said the new MIB minister Smriti Irani had decided to review the whole process and take a fresh look at the concept of auctioning slots for prime time in Doordarshan.

Prime time auctions were held as part of the pubcaster’s efforts to infuse some breath of fresh air in the programming lineup of its main channel and also earn additional revenue in the process.

Balaji Telefilms bagged four slots and Saaibaba Telefilms pocketed two slots as a result of Doordarshan’s prime time slot auction, although financial details are not known.

Bag Films and Media of Delhi, which had also been shortlisted, had failed to bag any slot as its bids were lower than those by the other two bidders.

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