In a letter to the ministry dated September 2, the federation urged Secretary Sanjay Jaju to provide clear instructions to broadcasters to provide satellite TV channels only to authorised service providers, including multiple system operators (MSOs), direct-to-home (DTH) services, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) providers and head-end-in-the-sky (HITS) operators.
The notice issued by Prasar Bharati on August 5 invited television broadcasters to place their channels on the public broadcaster’s upcoming OTT (over-the-top) platform. Prasar Bharati plans to launch a OTT platform Promoting “Indian values and knowledge” through family-friendly content.
The notice, AIDCF argued, violates the Ministry’s uplink and downlink guidelines, particularly Clause 11(3)(f), which specifies that satellite TV channel decoders can only be provided to MSO, DTH, IPTV and HITS operators.
The federation, which represents digital cable service providers in India, has asked the ministry to take immediate steps to enforce the downlink guidelines, including directing Prasar Bharati to withdraw its notification.
However, the TV channels maintain that Prasar Bharati does not fall under the purview of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. regulations or the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act and Rules and hence can offer their satellite TV channels on Prasar Bharti OTT. A person close to the development said the AIDCF and the DTH Association, the apex body of the DTH operators In India, they were planning to send a joint letter to the ministry. The DTH Association did not take a final decision on a joint letter, which led to AIDCF sending its letter. “DTH operators will also write a similar letter to the ministry of information and broadcasting regarding the placement of linear television channels on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform,” said the person, who did not want to be identified.
The AIDCF said in its letter that Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform’s invitation to broadcasters could undermine regulations, disrupt the distribution ecosystem and set a wrong precedent.
The federation noted that pay-TV platforms have seen a sharp decline in recent years, with the combined subscriber base of cable TV and DTH services declining 33% to 120 million in 2024 from 180 million in 2018.
He also expressed concern about the proliferation of unregulated OTT platforms illegally distributing linear satellite TV content.
These platforms, not being registered with the ministry or adhering to any regulatory framework, escape supervision and contribute to content piracy, further harming the traditional distribution industry, said the AIDCF.
The federation also called for clear regulations to prevent OTT platforms from carrying linear satellite TV channels, which it said would exacerbate challenges faced by the cable and DTH sectors.
The AIDCF letter highlighted the ongoing conflict between traditional governments TV Distribution platforms and OTT amid a rapidly changing media landscape due to rapid technological advances and shifting consumer preferences.
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