Hyderabad: The city is all set to get a regional spoke of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology alongside National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Mumbai. “While the primary institute will be in Mumbai, Hyderabad will host a regional spoke due to its strong ecosystem in this sector,” said Sanjay Jaju, secretary, Union ministry of information and broadcasting.
Speaking at the Indian Game Developers Conference (IGDC 2024) in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Jaju outlined the centre’s goal to enhance skill development and nurture start-ups in the animation, visual effects, gaming, comics and extended reality (AVGC-XR) sectors. “We recognise that this is a rapidly growing industry, and the Union govt is committed to supporting it,” he stated.
Jaju also discussed the progress on direct-to-mobile (D2M) technology, noting, “The ministry has completed the proof of the concept and is actively working on implementing this pioneering technology.”
He acknowledged the importance of engaging telecom and smartphone companies, emphasising ongoing consultations to address their concerns. “The D2M technology is crucial to broadening media and entertainment choices, and we must explore its full potential,” Jaju said.
Jaju mentioned that expressions of interest for launching private FM stations are underway, highlighting their potential to offer hyper-local entertainment. “Many of Telangana’s second-tier cities will be involved. There has been a long-standing demand to allow news broadcasts on FM, and we need to consider this,” he said.
Prasar Bharati’s new family-friendly over-the-top (OTT) platform will be launched on Nov 20 at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he announced. While most content will be free, some will require a subscription. “This platform is poised to be a game changer. It will offer streaming content, live channels, and valuable archival materials, including documentaries and rare photographs,” Jaju shared.
Further, Jaju also announced the five-day World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled for Feb 2025 in New Delhi, which will bring together global leaders in broadcasting, animation, gaming, and new media. The event will spotlight India’s prominence in the global entertainment market, he said.
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Clarifying the ministry of information and broadcasting’s role in handling issues related to online gaming, Jaju explained, “There is a clear distinction between the ministry of information and broadcasting and the ministry of information technology. The latter oversees all regulatory matters, while we focus on content, as we see it as part of the media and entertainment industry. This distinction is also why the IICT is being developed to address skill gaps in the country.”
