Doordharshan is keen to auction its entertainment slots blocked by soap operas and current affairs programmes.  The auction model promises to be tough.

Rumors are rife whether the annoucement will be made by Finance minister Arun Jaitley while reading out the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on February 29. Jaitley is also I&B minister.

Insiders feel there is possibility of a working paper being put up after the Budget on the I&B website.

Prasar Bharti has submitted a note to the I&B ministry which outlines a plan to make schedules with public participation.

The public broadcaster is keen to rope in celebrated artists for spiritual events every day for 30 minutes. It also wants comedy shows.

In fact, Prasar Bharti has designed an e-auction and if it is implemented, DD will also compete with private TV channels in broadcasting news.