Prasar Bharati Awards brought recognition to India’s public broadcasting sector as Prasar Bharati received two honours at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2026. The event was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 30 October to 3 November 2026. The awards recognised the work of Akashvani Bengaluru and Akashvani Imphal in public service broadcasting and broadcast technology.

These achievements highlight the contribution of Indian public broadcasters to quality media content and technological development. The recognition also reflects the growing role of innovation in radio and television services.

Akashvani Bengaluru Receives Special Commendation

Akashvani Bengaluru received the Audio Public Service Announcement Special Commendation for its programme Beyond the Call. Jyoti Das accepted the recognition on behalf of the station.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are short messages created to inform people about important social issues, public services, safety measures and other matters of public interest. They use radio, television and digital platforms to share useful information with the public.

The recognition for Beyond the Call highlights the importance of meaningful audio programmes in public communication. Radio continues to play an important role in reaching people across different communities, including those who may have limited access to digital media.

Akashvani Imphal Engineer Wins ABU Excellence Award

Another major achievement for India came from Akashvani Imphal. Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh, Director of Engineering at the station, received the ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026.

The award recognised his contribution to broadcast technology and innovation. His work included the development of indigenous solutions such as DDPlayout and DDSlowMo, which support broadcasting operations.

The award was presented to Singh through Mihir Jha, an official from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The recognition is important because broadcasting depends not only on programme quality but also on reliable technology. Engineering systems help television and radio stations manage content, improve production and deliver programmes smoothly to audiences.

Indigenous Technology in Indian Broadcasting

The recognition of DDPlayout and DDSlowMo highlights the importance of developing technology within the country. Indigenous broadcasting solutions can help public broadcasters improve their technical operations and reduce dependence on external systems.

Broadcast engineering includes the technical work required to produce, process and transmit radio and television programmes. It covers areas such as audio and video systems, transmission equipment, digital production tools and content management.

As media consumption continues to shift towards digital platforms, broadcasters need modern systems that can support both traditional television and online services. Innovations by Indian engineers can help public broadcasting adapt to these changes.

63rd ABU General Assembly Held in Colombo

The ABU Prizes 2026 were part of the 63rd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union General Assembly and Associated Meetings. The event took place in Colombo under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation”.

The theme focused on the role of media in promoting peace, sharing reliable information and building public trust. In today’s digital environment, broadcasters face challenges such as misinformation, rapid changes in technology and growing competition from online platforms.

The General Assembly provided an opportunity for broadcasting organisations from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss developments in media, technology and public communication.

WAVES OTT Showcases India’s Digital Broadcasting Growth

During the event, Prasar Bharati Member (Finance) Rajeev Roy presented WAVES OTT, the public broadcaster’s digital streaming platform.

By 3 November 2026, WAVES OTT had recorded more than 15 million registered users and 19 million downloads. The platform had reached audiences in more than 130 countries.

WAVES OTT is part of Prasar Bharati’s effort to expand its presence in the digital entertainment and information space. It provides viewers with access to content through an online platform, allowing them to watch programmes beyond traditional television broadcasting.

The reported user and download figures show the growing reach of India’s public broadcaster in the digital media market. OTT platforms have become an important part of the entertainment industry as more people use smartphones, smart televisions and internet services to access video content.

What Is the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union?

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is a non-profit, non-governmental association of broadcasting organisations. It was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ABU supports cooperation among broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific region. It organises professional activities, meetings and awards that recognise achievements in radio, television and broadcasting technology.

The ABU Prizes are annual awards that recognise outstanding radio and television programmes. Its engineering awards also highlight important contributions to broadcasting technology and professional development.

About Prasar Bharati

Prasar Bharati is India’s public service broadcasting organisation. It operates major broadcasting services, including Doordarshan and Akashvani, which was earlier known as All India Radio.

It was established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990, which came into force in 1997. Its role includes providing public information, education, news, entertainment and cultural programmes through radio and television.

The two honours at the ABU Prizes 2026 highlight the contribution of Prasar Bharati’s regional stations and technical professionals. The achievements of Akashvani Bengaluru and Akashvani Imphal also show how public broadcasting continues to combine useful content with new technology while expanding its reach through digital platforms such as WAVES OTT.