Trai: No cap on channels
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Thursday issued a directive stating that there should be no cap on number of satellite-based TV channels meant for downlinking and uplinking from India.
The broadcast regulators comments come after Union ministry of information and broadcasting had requested Trai to furnish its recommendations on review of policy on uplinking and downlinking of TV channels in India. Awaiting the recommendation from Trai, the ministry had stopped issuing new licenses to channels for a few months. However, sources stated that the granting of uplinking and downlinking permission was later resumed on a case by case basis.
In the broadcast regulator’s directive issued on Thursday, apart from refusing to put a cap on the number of channels, it also recommended that there should be net-worth requirements to be revised for news and non-news TV channels and teleports.
“This has been done to stop fly-by-night operators and protect the interests of employees of television channels,” sources added.
The Trai recommendations on issues relating to uplinking-downlinking of TV channels in India have also suggested that the eligibility criteria for registration of a TV channel could be revised to include experience in media sector. While at the same time stating that the period of permission for uplinking/downlinking permission to be made uniform for 10 years.
Currently, while some channels have been permitted to operate for five years a few have been licensed for 10 years.
The Trai recommendation also states that permission fee should be revised and charged annually. While at the same time transfer of permission should not to be permitted. It has recommended that India be developed as a teleport hub.
Meanwhile, in an effort to provide relief to DTH viewers, broadcast regulator Trai has issued a directive stating that subscribers of DTH services would be able to pick and choose the channels they want to watch. The Trai has also fixed a minimum of Rs 150 per month for a bouquet of channels of their choice.
The broadcast regulator has also included provisions to protect the consumers from rise in rates.
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