In a significant move to formalize and safeguard its vast media archives, Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, has issued a public notice inviting stakeholders to submit claims of ownership or association for numerous classic Doordarshan programs. The directive, published on June 26, 2025, sets a stringent 45-day deadline for producers, directors, actors, artists, and creators to substantiate their intellectual property rights (IPR) over historic shows where original contractual records are currently untraceable.
This proactive step by Prasar Bharati comes as its Central Archives have identified several program files across various genres—including classical music series, documentaries, and cultural history programs—for which contractual ownership records cannot be definitively located. The public broadcaster is taking this measure to ensure legal clarity and transparency before potentially broadcasting, digitally streaming, or syndicating these valuable media assets on any platform.
Among the prominent series for which claims are being invited are iconic titles such as “The Soul of India: A Classical Music Series,” “In Conversation with Rajiv Mehrotra,” “Spectacular India,” and “Sikhs and Their Five Takhts.” These timeless programs feature a veritable constellation of cultural legends and luminaries, including Ustad Vilayat Khan, Shubha Mudgal, Ustad Bismillah Khan, the Dalai Lama, Jaya Bachchan, Dr. Karan Singh, and the late President K.R. Narayanan, among many others, underscoring the immense cultural and historical value of Doordarshan’s archives.
Strict Submission Requirements and Consequences of Non-Compliance
To ensure the legitimacy of claims, Prasar Bharati has outlined rigorous requirements for submission. Claimants must provide detailed information including:
- The specific name of the program and episode numbers.
- Comprehensive details of the creative team involved.
- The nature and duration of their association with Doordarshan or Prasar Bharati.
- Crucially, verifiable documentation such as attested copies of original contracts, agreements, or any other relevant records that unequivocally justify their claim. Original documents may be required for verification in due course.
All claims must be sent to the Director of Central Archives at Akashvani Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi. The public notice explicitly states that claims received after the 45-day deadline will be summarily rejected, emphasizing the broadcaster’s firm stance on formalizing ownership.
Prasar Bharati’s Strategic Vision for Archival Content
This initiative is part of Prasar Bharati’s broader strategy to not only preserve India’s rich audiovisual heritage but also to potentially monetize its vast archives. If no valid claims are received within the stipulated window for any listed program, Prasar Bharati will assume absolute ownership of the intellectual property rights and copyrights over those media assets. This would grant the public broadcaster the unrestricted right to broadcast, digitally stream, or syndicate these programs on any platform, contributing to the organization’s revenue generation and broader digital footprint.
The move follows Prasar Bharati‘s efforts to enhance access to its content, as seen with initiatives like “Prasar Bharati Waves OTT,” which has already surpassed 2 million downloads and expanded its global footprint across 181 countries. By meticulously regularizing IPRs for its legacy content, Prasar Bharati aims to ensure that these invaluable contributions to Indian culture and media can be responsibly managed, preserved for posterity, and made accessible to a wider audience both domestically and internationally. This systematic approach highlights a commitment to safeguarding public broadcasting heritage while adapting to the demands of modern media distribution.
Key Highlights:
- Prasar Bharati’s 45-Day Copyright Deadline: Prasar Bharati has issued a public notice on June 26, 2025, calling on all stakeholders (producers, artists, etc.) to submit claims for ownership or association over classic Doordarshan programs within 45 days.
- Addressing Missing Records: This initiative is driven by the Central Archives finding no contractual ownership records for numerous historical shows, including popular classical music and cultural series featuring Indian legends.
- Strict Documentation Required: Claimants must provide detailed information, including program name, creative team details, and verifiable documentation like original contracts, with claims submitted to the Director of Central Archives in New Delhi.
- Consequences of Non-Submission: If no valid claims are received within the deadline, Prasar Bharati will assume absolute ownership of the intellectual property rights, allowing them to broadcast, stream, or syndicate these programs on any platform.