News & Media

On the 2nd of April, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a Consultation Paper on ‘Inputs for formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024’ (NBP). The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had asked TRAI to provide inputs for the formulation of the policy in July last year, following which the latter issued a pre-consultation paper in September, seeking comments on the issues to be included in the policy. After reviewing 28 comments, TRAI published the Consultation Paper this month and sought comments from stakeholders. The deadline for stakeholder submissions is 30 April 2024.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday released a consultation paper for inputs on the formulation of the National Broadcast Policy. The consultation paper, according to the regulator, aims to position India as a global content hub. While TRAI claims the policy acknowledges industry-wide challenges, stakeholders argue that it ignores crucial broadcast-specific concerns, and instead emphasises larger media & entertainment industry.

The consultation paper has sought views on strategies that should be adopted to increase the broadcasting sector’s contribution to the economy and make India a “Global Content Hub” among other aspects.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has urged pay-TV broadcasters to avoid switching off signals to distribution platform operators (DPOs) if they don't comply with tariff hikes until the Lok Sabha elections are over, people familiar with the development told ET.

The Parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology has expressed concern over a significant increase in television channel pricing by broadcasters and recommended more freedom of choice to consumers for selecting individual TV channels.

On November 10, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting released a draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. This bill is set to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 which has been in place for the past three decades. With the new bill, over-the-top (OTT) broadcasting services (like Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, JioCinema, etc.) will also be brought under regulation. They will be required to ensure that their content is certified by a content evaluation committee, and will have to comply with a multi-layered regulatory system.

Union Ministry of Information and broadcasting has today invited comments on the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 has been in effect for three decades, serving as the primary legislation overseeing content on linear broadcasting, including cable networks. However, the broadcasting landscape has undergone significant changes in the interim. Technological advancements have introduced new platforms such as DTH, IPTV, OTT, and various integrated models.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to include the issue of granting autonomy to TV distributors in bouquet formation by allowing them to break broadcaster bouquets, in its consultation paper that was issued on August 8, people in the know told ET.

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has pointed the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in the direction of DD Free Dish for allegedly not acting in accordance with the TRAI’s regulation that requires channels to be provided in an encrypted manner, as per an e4m report.

India's digital multi-system operators (MSOs) apex body the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), and Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd. have filed a writ petition against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for changes in the telecommunication (broadcasting and cable) services interconnection (addressable systems) (fourth amendment) regulations, 2022.