LS channel gets ready, with a little push from PSUs

The new parliamentary channel will take over the telecast of Lok Sabha proceedings from DD with some original programming thrown in.

With the look and feel of the country’s first Parliament-owned channel set to be a change from the staid DD-style coverage, in between the telecast of House proceedings there will a half-hour slot to analyse the day’s main parliamentary events.

That apart, Lok Sabha TV’s other programming will provide the three main political parties half-an-hour on a rotational basis to present their party’s view on the day’s Parliament proceedings. And, while feeds from the House will be re-telecast in the evening for those who missed them during the day, don’t be surprised if you get to watch ‘‘non-controversial’’, award-winning films on the channel as well.

During non-session time, the channel will also telecast a ‘Know-your-MP’ programme, featuring interactive sessions between members of parliament and the people they represent. ‘‘Each and every MP will be featured in this segment,’’ officials say.

Lok Sabha TV hopes to go 24×7 from the Monsoon Session. ‘‘In the Budget Session, we will give our channel a trial run and take care of niggling problems. By the Monsoon Session, it will start round-the-clock telecast,’’ senior officials confirmed.

The Broadcast Engineers Consultancy India Ltd (BECIL)—which has been helping private TV channels set shop—has also been hired by the Lok Sabha to help with its TV channel. However, the blueprint of the project has been prepared by former I&B Secretary Bhaskar Ghose who was appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to give the channel its shape and direction.