Prasar Bharati has received two major recognitions at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Prizes 2026, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The honours recognise excellence in public-service broadcasting and broadcast engineering, while India’s public broadcaster also showcased its growing digital presence through WAVES OTT.
The Audio Public Service Announcement Special Commendation has been awarded to Prasar Bharati-Akashvani, Bengaluru, for its programme Beyond the Call. The programme highlights the role of public-service communication in connecting with communities and addressing issues of public interest. The award was received by Jyoti Das from Akashvani, Bengaluru.
In another recognition, earlier announced ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026 was formally awarded to Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh of Prasar Bharati. The recognition acknowledges excellence in broadcast engineering and technical innovation. The award was received by Mihir Kumar Jha, Under Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Rajeev Roy, Member(Finance)- Prasar Bharati also showcased WAVES OTT, its digital streaming platform, which brings together television, radio, films, documentaries, educational programmes, cultural content and archival material. Launched in November 2024, WAVES has crossed 15 million registered users and 19 million downloads with reach in more than 130 countries, reflecting the expanding reach of India’s public-service digital media ecosystem.
ABU is one of the world’s largest broadcasting unions, promoting cooperation and excellence among broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific. Held under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation,” , the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings are being held in Colombo from 30 October to 3 November 2026, bringing together broadcasters and media leaders from across the region.
