Why in News?
The PB-SHABD (Prasar Bharati – Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination) platform is in the news because the government has officially extended free access to its services for all media organisations until March 2027.
About
- Service Extension: Originally launched in March 2024 with a one-year free period, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that it will remain cost-free for another year to continue supporting smaller and regional media outlets.
- Infrastructure Growth: The platform now delivers over 1,000 daily news stories across multiple formats, supported by a 24/7 network of 1,500+ correspondents and 60 dedicated edit desks.
Platform Overview
- Full Name: Prasar Bharati – Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination.
- Developer: It is a news-sharing service launched by Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster.
- Objective: Designed to function as a single-point source for high-quality, authentic news content, especially for media houses that lack extensive reporting networks.
Core Features
- Logo-Free Content: A defining feature is that all news items (video, audio, text, and photos) are provided without logos or watermarks, allowing media outlets to use them directly without attribution.
- Multilingual Support: Content is available in all major Indian languages, ensuring broad reach for regional and vernacular media.
- Live Feed Service: Provides exclusive, logo-free coverage of live events of national importance, such as investiture ceremonies, press briefings, and election rallies.
- Media Repository: Includes an archival library where subscribers can access historical footage and curated special packages.
Eligibility and Usage
- Target Users: Open to registered newspapers, periodicals, TV channels, and digital publishers (including verified YouTubers and podcasters with specific subscriber counts).
- Registration: Media organisations can sign up for free on the official PB-SHABD portal by providing basic details and media registration papers.
- Format: Stories are provided in usable formats to ensure easy integration into existing broadcast or digital systems.
Content Coverage
- Volume: Delivers roughly 1,000 stories daily.
- Categories: Covers more than 50 diverse categories, including agriculture, technology, foreign affairs, sports, and political developments.
- Network: Powered by the vast network of Akashvani (All India Radio) and Doordarshan reporters across every corner of India.
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