Explore the latest developments concerning the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s decision to end its telecast agreement with PTC channel. Learn how the SGPC plans to revolutionise Gurbani broadcasts.
In a bold move on Friday, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced its decision to discontinue its longstanding Gurbani telecast agreement with PTC channel. This decision comes into effect post-July 23, once the current agreement term ends.
SGPC’s New Digital Endeavour: YouTube Channel Launch
Amidst this change, the SGPC has announced its plan to launch its own YouTube channel. This announcement was made by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, following an executive committee meeting in Amritsar. The live telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple in Amritsar will commence early morning on July 24 on this new YouTube channel.
Interim Arrangement and Future Satellite Channel Plans
Dhami has asserted that this arrangement will remain in place until the SGPC’s own satellite channel is launched. The SGPC will retain all rights to the telecast. This decision is in line with the recommendations of a sub-committee, established in response to an Akal Takht edict urging the SGPC to start its own channel.
The History and Implications of the Broadcasting Rights
Since 1998, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has granted various channels the privilege to air Gurbani from the Golden Temple. As of July 2012, G-Next Media Private Limited (also known as PTC channel) entered into an agreement with the SGPC that spanned 11 years. This agreement required G-Next Media to annually contribute ₹1 crore to the SGPC’s educational fund, a figure that was subject to a 10% increment each year. This shift in broadcasting approach has been influenced by recent political developments and the drive to end the PTC channel’s monopoly.
This new venture by SGPC symbolises a significant shift in the dissemination of religious content. By harnessing digital platforms, it is poised to create a more accessible and direct connection with the devotees of Gurbani globally. This decision has not only sparked debates about media monopolies but also sheds light on the evolving dynamics of religion in the digital age.
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