Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is close to finalizing a ₹15-crore per year deal with news anchor Sudhir Chaudhary for a prime-time show on Doordarshan, according to The Indian Express.
A source familiar with the development said, “The deal is certainly under consideration and will be signed soon. The broadcaster often hires anchors for new shows, and this contract falls within the approved CBC rates.”
The new show, expected to start airing in May 2025, will be a one-hour programme on DD News, five days a week. A recent memo discussed at Prasar Bharati revealed that the contract has been awarded to ESSPRIT Productions Pvt Ltd, represented by Chaudhary. The agreement includes a 10% annual fee escalation clause, according to reports.
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A negotiation committee from Prasar Bharati held five meetings with Chaudhary’s company to finalize the production costs. A source noted, “The ₹15-crore deal is within the ₹28.6 crore range set by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) for 260 one-hour programmes annually.”
This move is seen as part of Prasar Bharati’s strategy to revamp DD News and boost its presence in the competitive news market. Alongside Chaudhary’s show, several new programmes are reportedly in the pipeline as Doordarshan shifts toward a more multimedia-driven approach.
