Insta
Swarajya Staff
Aug 08, 2020, 09:13 AM | Updated 09:18 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Over 16 crore people watched the live telecast of the Ram Mandir Bhumi pujan ceremony in Ayodhya on 5 August, according to estimates by Prasar Bharti, India's public broadcaster.
The live event generated 700 crore viewing minutes across the television universe in India.
"Per preliminary estimates over 160 Million people watched the live telecast of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Bhumi Pujan ceremony, resulting in viewership of more than 7 billion viewing minutes across the TV universe in India," chief executive officer of Prasar Bharti Shashi Shekhar Vempati said in a tweet.
He further said that the viewership of 16 crore was limited to the live coverage of the event by Doordarshan, India's national public service broadcaster, which was picked up and carried by nearly 200 channels during the main events between 10.45 am and 2 pm on 5 August.
Above viewership is of Doordarshanâs live coverage which was carried by nearly 200 TV channels during the main events between 1045 am and 2pm on wednesday the 5th of August 2020.
— Shashi S Vempati (@shashidigital) August 7, 2020
It should be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had performed the Bhumi Pujan for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 5 August in presence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath and several other dignitaries including Hindu religous leaders.
According to a Times of India report, Prasar Bharati had planned for the extensive coverage of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan event.
On the eve of the Bhumi Pujan ceremony, the Prasar Bharti had aired a special live show from the Saryu Ghat in Ayodhya. On 5 August, it had started continous coverage of the events in Ayodhya from 6 am.
Prasar Bharati also translated PM Modi’s speech in multiple Indian languages including Ladakhi, Odia and Kannada.