MIB removes I Plus TV and Zee Vajwa from permitted satellite TV channel database

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) recently dropped two satellite TV channel licenses among others from its permitted satellite TV channel database available publicly. MIB today dropped ‘I Plus TV’ license from its database whereas ‘Zee Vajwa’ license was dropped last week.

The TV licenses in all likelihood have been cancelled by the Ministry. MIB’s cancelled TV channel database available publicly remains un-updated since January 2022. The Ministry during February-May 2022 period has cancelled 8 TV channels by its own submissions.

KDM Media Private Limited was granted ‘I Plus TV’ license on 25th August 2004 by MIB. The ‘Non-News and Current Affairs’ TV license was initially named ‘Shakti TV’ before being renamed ‘I Plus TV’ later on. The TV license had permission for uplinking and downlinking and operated from GSAT-30, an Indian satellite.

MIB had last month warned iPlus TV to stop the promotion of its channel for downlinking by any person. The Ministry in its letter to the broadcaster had stated that it was not a permit holder for uplinking and downlinking of private satellite TV channels. The Ministry had also warned MSOs/LCOs to not carry the prohibited ‘iPlus TV’ channel or to face action.

Zee Entertainment was granted ‘Zee Vajwa‘ TV license on 8th June 2008. The ‘Non-News and Current Affairs’ TV license was initially named ‘Imagine Showbiz’ before being renamed as ‘Big RTL Thrill’, ‘Big Thrill’, and ‘Zee Vajwa’ on different occasions.

The broadcaster earlier this year had shuttered down ‘Zee Vajwa’ along with ‘Zee Odisha’. Zee Vajwa which was launched in October 2020 closed shop on 31st March 2022.