News & Media

DPOs and DTH operators have urged TRAI that if a broadcaster is unsatisfied with the annual audit conducted by DPOs, any subsequent audit should be carried out exclusively by TRAI-empanelled auditors, not by the broadcasters themselves.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has received 55 responses to the consultation paper on audit-related provisions of the Interconnection Regulations, 2017, and the Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual. The industry appears divided over the removal of Clause 15.1 of the Interconnection Regulations 2017, which mandates television channel distributors to have their systems audited annually.

Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) are set to approach the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urging an advisory that would prevent OTT platforms from streaming live TV channels. According to sources close to the development, the draft for this request is nearly finalised and will be submitted soon.

Challenges are mounting for Prasar Bharati as it nears the launch date of its over-the-top (OTT) platform, with cable TV operators and a handful of private broadcasters raising red flags and pushing for more clarity in the existing guidelines.

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting criticising Prasar Bharati for inviting private sector satellite TV channels to onboard its upcoming OTT platform.

The controversial Broadcasting Bill has been put on hold for now, sources within the government told Moneycontrol on condition of anonymity. Sources familiar with the matter said that the government is assessing the point of bring out a fresh Broadcasting Bill after consultations; it may not move forward with it.

The broadcast industry is currently experiencing significant upheaval, with a flurry of activity among authorities and stakeholders. These discussions have led to various recommendations and draft bills aimed at establishing new mandates within the sector.

The ministry of information and broadcasting on Monday has withdrawn the latest draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 by asking all stakeholders to return physical copies given to them between July 24 and 25, five people aware of the matter told HT asking not to be named.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has drafted the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, which will replace the Television Network Act of 1995. Reports indicate that the Bill will classify influencers and social media pages that produce content or discuss current affairs or news online as ‘digital news broadcasters’.

The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has authorised the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to use Aadhaar to authenticate the identities of people who register themselves online as the local cable operators (LCOs) under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.