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Tag: Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation

  • Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF) announces Kevin Vaz as its new president

    Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF) announces Kevin Vaz as its new president

    MUMBAI: The Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF), a subsidiary of the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), has announced the appointment of Mr. Kevin Vaz as its new President. The decision was taken at the IDMIF Board of Directors meeting held on 30 July 2025.

    One of India’s most influential media and entertainment leaders, Kevin Vaz brings to bear nearly three decades of experience that have shaped the industry. Currently serving as chief executive officer of the entertainment business at JioStar, he succeeds K. Madhavan, under whose leadership IDMIF has grown into a key advocate for India’s digital media sector.

    Speaking on his appointment, Vaz said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and build upon the strong foundation laid by Mr. Madhavan. As we move into 2025–26, my focus will be on fostering fair competition, innovation and sustainable growth across India’s digital media landscape. Digital is a critical pillar of the media and entertainment industry and with the right policy push and collaborative efforts, we have an incredible opportunity to further innovate, empower creators and enhance audience experiences. By working closely with the government, industry stakeholders and the creative community, we can shape an inclusive, future-ready ecosystem that delivers lasting value for all.”

    IDMIF’s Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC), established on 31 May 2021 under the IT Rules, 2021, functions as an independent self-regulatory body for non-news content of IDMIF member Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs). Registered with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), the DMCRC ensures balanced content governance, protecting consumer interests while upholding creative freedom.

    The DMCRC is chaired by Justice Mukul Mudgal (Retd.) and comprises eminent industry experts, including:

    ●   Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari (Writer & Filmmaker)
    ●   Nikkhil Advani (Producer & Director)
    ●   Deepak Dhar (CEO, Banijay Asia)
    ●   Tigmanshu Dhulia (Director, Actor & Screenwriter)

    The Council also includes representatives from leading Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs) such as Anil Lale (JioHotstar) and Ritesh Khosla (SonyLIV).

    Modelled on the highly acclaimed Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) – IBDF’s self-regulatory body for non-news television channels, the DMCRC plays a vital role in addressing viewer concerns and promoting responsible content practices. Notably, Justice Mudgal also previously chaired the BCCC, which has been commended by Indian courts for its effective self-regulation framework.

  • Indian watchdog had reason to raid global ad agencies for price-fixing

    Indian watchdog had reason to raid global ad agencies for price-fixing

    MUMBAI: Even as India’s advertising industry executives were painting the town red at their annual jamboree in Goa, a Reuters exposé should have them reaching for paracetamol. The party-poopers at India’s Competition Commission have uncovered a cosy cartel that makes the old boys’ club look positively egalitarian.

    A confidential document dated 7 February reveals that global advertising giants have been caught red-handed coordinating the commissions they charge clients—a practice about as competitive as a rigged horse race. The evidence was so damning it prompted surprise raids in March at the Indian offices of WPP-owned GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis and Dentsu, along with three industry bodies that apparently forgot the first rule of cartels: don’t leave a paper trail.

    The Competition Commission of India’s  (CCI’s) sleuths discovered not one but three separate cartels operating through the Indian Society of Advertisers, the Advertising Agencies Association of India  (AAAI) and the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) . It’s like finding out your local parish council is actually running the mafia.

    Since at least 2023, these agencies have been exchanging commercially sensitive information through WhatsApp groups. They agreed to stick to pre-decided commission structures with the discipline of a Swiss watch, the commission found.

    The AAAI, which represents the big four agencies, didn’t just coordinate prices. It organised virtual meetings to align on responses to clients and discussed “retaliatory action” against members who dared to break ranks. The group also “fixed the formula for fees in case of fee-based service to advertisers”, the commission noted—apparently unaware that price-fixing went out of fashion around the same time as top hats.

    None of the accused parties responded to Reuters’ queries, maintaining the kind of stony silence usually reserved for caught teenagers or politicians facing corruption charges.

    The case was triggered after Dentsu turned whistleblower—a move that proves there really is no honour among thieves. The revelations cast a shadow over India’s booming media sector, where Reliance-Disney and Sony are top dogs in a market worth $18.5 billion last year.

    The commission found that advertisers had “established a buyer’s cartel” whilst broadcasters engaged in “collective action to refrain from giving discounts.”. Another cartel lurks in the media segment, with attempts underway to establish one in the creative business too, because apparently one conspiracy just isn’t enough.
    In recent weeks, the AAAI  has privately advised members to avoid pricing discussions during meetings unless their legal adviser is present.

    The investigation comes as India’s advertising landscape shifts following last year’s $8.5 billion merger between Walt Disney and Reliance’s Indian media assets, creating a behemoth with an estimated 40 per cent share of the television and streaming ad market.

    India ranks as the world’s eighth-biggest advertising market, making this less a local spat and more a global reckoning. The CCI’s  investigation is expected to rumble on for several months before final findings emergE.

  • Trai issues amendments to the regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services

    Trai issues amendments to the regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday issued the telecommunication services tariff order, 2022 and the telecommunication services interconnection regulations, 2022.

    In consonance with the complete digitisation of the cable TV sector, Trai on 3 March 2017 notified the new regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services. After passing legal scrutiny in Madras High Court and Supreme Court, the new framework came into effect from 29 December 2018.

    As the new regulatory framework changed quite a few business rules, many positives emerged. However, upon implementation of the new regulatory framework 2017, Trai noticed some inadequacies impacting the consumers. To address certain issues that arose after implementation of the new regulatory framework, after a due consultation process with stakeholders, Trai on 1 January 2020 notified the new regulatory framework 2020.

    Some stakeholders challenged provisions of tariff amendment order 2020, interconnection amendment regulations 2020 and QoS amendment regulations 2020 in various High Courts including in the High Court of Bombay and Kerala. The court upheld the validity of the new regulatory framework 2020 except for a few provisions.

    The provisions related to network capacity fee (NCF), multi-TV homes and long-term subscriptions of new regulatory framework 2020, have already been implemented and due benefits are being passed on to the consumer at large. Every consumer now can get 228 TV channels instead of 100 channels earlier, in a maximum NCF of Rs 130. It has enabled consumers to reduce their NCF for availing a similar number of channels as per 2017 framework, by an estimated cost varying Rs 40 to 50. Additionally, the amended NCF for multi-TV homes has enabled further savings to the consumers to the tune of 60 per cent on second (and more) television sets.

    However, as per RIOs filed by the broadcasters in November 2021, the new tariffs reflected a common trend i.e., the prices of their most popular channels including sports channels were enhanced beyond Rs 19 per month. Complying to the extent provisions, as regards the inclusion of pay channels in a bouquet, all such channels that are priced beyond Rs 12 per month are kept out of the bouquet and are offered only on a-la-carte basis. The revised RIOs as filed indicate a wide-scale changes in composition of almost all the bouquets being offered.

    Immediately after new tariffs were announced, Trai received representations from distribution platform operators (DPOs), associations of local cable operators (LCOs) and consumer organisations. DPOs highlighted difficulties likely to be faced by them in implementing new rates in the system and migrating the consumers to the new tariff regime through the informed exercise of options impacting almost all bouquets, especially due to upward revision in the rates of pay channels and bouquets declared by broadcasters. Therefore, Trai engaged with all the different associations and consumer groups including representatives of LCOs.

    To deliberate on the various issues related to implementation of new regulatory framework 2020 and suggest a way forward, a committee consisting of members from Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) & DTH Association was constituted under the aegis of Trai.

    The purpose of the committee was to facilitate discussions among various stakeholders to come out on a common agreed path for smooth implementation of Tariff Amendment Order 2020. Stakeholders were advised to come out with an implementation plan with minimum disruptions and hassles to the consumers while implementing the new regulatory framework 2020.

    The committee listed several issues related to the new regulatory framework 2020 for consideration. The stakeholders, however, requested Trai to immediately address critical issues which could create impediments for smooth implementation of tariff amendment order 2020.

    In order to address the issues as identified by the stakeholders’ committee; Trai issued a consultation paper for seeking stakeholders’ comments on points/issues which are pending for full implementation of the new regulatory framework 2020. The consultation paper sought comments and suggestions from various stakeholders, on issues related to discount given in the formation of the bouquet, ceiling price of channels for inclusion in bouquet, and discount offered by broadcasters to DPOs in addition to distribution fee.

    The authority analysed the comments of the stakeholders and to protect the interests of consumers has notified the amendments to tariff order 2017 and interconnection regulations 2017. The main features of the amendments are as follows:

    a.    Continuance of forbearance on MRP of TV channels

    b.    Only those channels which are having MRP of Rs 19 or less will be permitted to be part of a bouquet.

    c.    A broadcaster can offer a maximum discount of 45 per cent while pricing its bouquet of pay channels over the sum of MRPs of all of the pay channels in that bouquet.

     d.   Discount offered as an incentive by a broadcaster on the maximum retail price of a pay channel shall be based on combined subscription of that channel both in a-la-carte as well as in bouquets.

    All the broadcasters shall report to the authority, any change in name, nature, language, MRP per month of channels, and composition and MRP of bouquets of channels, by 16 December 2022, and simultaneously publish such information on their websites. The broadcasters who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance with the new regulatory framework 2020 may also revise their RIOs by 16 December 2022.

    All the distributors of television channels shall report to the authority, DRP of pay channels and bouquets of pay channels, and composition of bouquets of pay and FTA channels, by 1 January 2023, and simultaneously publish such information on their websites. DPOs who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance with the new regulatory framework 2020 may also revise their RIOs by 1 January 2023.

    All the distributors of television channels shall ensure that services to the subscribers, with effect from 1 February 2023, are provided as per the bouquets or channels opted by them.

    Trai in the present amendments, addressed only those critical issues which were suggested by the stakeholders’ committee to avoid inconvenience to consumers while implementing the tariff amendment order 2020. The stakeholders’ committee also listed other issues for subsequent consideration by Trai. In addition, the authority held multiple meetings with representatives of LCOs including an online meeting which was attended by more than 200 LCOs from across the country. Several issues were put forward during these meetings. Trai has noted the suggestions and may take further suitable measures to address the ensuing issues, if the situation warrants.

  • Trai extends deadline for implementation of new tariff order to February next year

    Trai extends deadline for implementation of new tariff order to February next year

    Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to extend the deadline for implementation of the new tariff order (NTO 2.0) from 30 November 2022 to 28 February 2023.

    As per the regulatory filing, the authority said, “All the distributors of television channels shall ensure that services to the subscribers, with effect from 28 February 2023, are provided as per the bouquets or channels opted by them.”

    Several representations have also been received from the stakeholders requesting an extension of the time limit for implementation of the New Regulatory Framework 2020. According to Trai’s recent notice, it stated, “All the broadcasters shall report any change in name, nature, language, MRP per month of channels, and composition and MRP of bouquets of channels by 30 November 2022, and simultaneously publish such information on their websites,” it stated.

    “The broadcasters who have already submitted their reference interconnect offers (RIO) in compliance with the New Regulatory Framework 2020 may also revise their RIOs by 30 November 2022,” it further added.

    In addition to it, Trai also said, “All distribution platform operators (DPOs) will need to submit their distributor retail price (DRP) of pay channels and bouquets & composition of bouquets of pay and free-to-air channels, by 31 December 2022 to Trai.”  

    The authority further, in compliance with the New Regulatory Framework 2020, asked DPOs to revise their already-submitted RIOs by 31 December 2022. 

    After receiving comments and counter comments from the stakeholders on the consultation paper, TRAI was to conduct an open house discussion (OHD) on 21 July 2022, which is now scheduled to take place on 8 September 2022.

    New Tariff Order

    When NTO was first introduced and gave customers the option to select channels à la carte, the price of entertainment increased, forcing Trai to modify its order. In January 2020, NTO 2.0 was introduced, capping the price of a bouquet channel at Rs 12 as opposed to Rs 19. This was not supported by any logical justification or consumer insight, according to the Indian Broadcasting Digital Foundation (IBDF), a unified representative body of Indian television broadcasters.

    Broadcasters have resisted the new tariff order vigorously and reacted by removing premium channels from bouquets and increasing their prices from Rs 20 to Rs 30 after losing the legal battle to overturn the Trai order in both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.

    Cable operators were compelled to ask the regulator to postpone the implementation of NTO 2.0 as a result of major broadcasters like Star, Zee, Sony, and Viacom18 choosing to raise the MRP of their well-liked channels and keep them out of bouquets. For instance, the All India Digital Cable Federation had urged Trai to reconsider the order’s provisions in light of the sustainability aspect of putting this framework into place.

  • The drama unfolding over OTT content self-regulation

    The drama unfolding over OTT content self-regulation

    KOLKATA:  There was a time when no one even believed that over-the-top platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar (now Disney+Hotstar) would go beyond the premium urban audience. The digital fillip that most of India  got since Jio’s rollout, and the pandemic and lockdowns has seen streamers not only reach out to nooks and crannies in interior India, but also become a must-have service for hundreds of millions of Indians. The rapid spurt in popularity of the edge-of-the-seat risque content that these platforms have been serving has brought with it some woes as well – the main one being regulatory intervention by the Indian government.

    While praise has been showered on them for unlocking creative freedom in terms of stories, the OTTs have been flagellated more than once by an audience set whose sentiment was hurt either on account of some “objectionable” scenes or dialogue. The aggrieved folks fled to the courts and filed public interest litigation after litigation against several series and films as well.

    When there’s a hue and cry from a certain section of society, politicians obviously have no option but to take a closer look-see and then force the government to step in. Which is exactly what happened when the Modi-led central government started paying close attention to the streamers and eventually introduced new rules to regulate OTT content at the beginning of this year which came into effect on 26 May.

    “That is the first battle we lost. We wanted to resist the government’s interference but the new rules have been introduced,” a senior official with a leading OTT platform commented, on condition of anonymity.

    On 27 May, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB)  sent a letter seeking compliance reports to the new rules from OTT platforms as well as digital news publishers in 15 days. The government is within its rights to ask for the information as the law has been notified. At this juncture, the information it is asking appears to be harmless, albeit the spirit of the law is questionable, a legal expert with a leading law firm explained.

    But what is more concerning at the moment is the action that is taking place amongst the various players around the rules.  There is the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) – under whose umbrella most of the digital publishers and early-mover  OTT platforms – had banded  over the past few years. The association had been consulted by the authorities for members’ feedback before the new rules were drawn up. And announcements had been made that a structure would be created  under it to meet the regulatory requirements. But there was talk all along that all was not well among its members, some of whom were not agreeable with the direction that the legislation was taking.

    That there are differing points of views became more than apparent last week when the  Indian Broadcasting Foundation  (IBF) – the association for linear television  broadcasters – announced that it would extend its purview to cover digital streaming platforms under a new name the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF). It would also form a self-regulatory body, the Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC), as required under a three-tier oversight mechanism.

     According to the official quoted earlier, some of the players were not happy with the way the IAMAI was dealing with the situation. With so much back and forth, the body also started losing its relevance before the MIB, he added. Hence, the broadcaster-led OTT platforms like Disney+Hotstar, SonyLIV wanted to look out for other options, especially when the top management of these organisations wanted to ensure their rapidly  expanding digital business does not fall foul of the law..

    On the other hand, the IAMAI has formed the Digital Publishers Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) as part of the self-regulatory and grievance redressal framework for online curated content [OCC] publishers. Ten OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video have confirmed their allegiance to the IAMAI structure. The reason, the official told us, is that they did not want to be a part of a body that is dominated by broadcasters.

    Top MIB officials are today bewildered by the situation that has cropped up. Where earlier, there was a vacuum in terms of industry responding to demands to get its act together on content self-regulation, now it is grappling with problems of plenty. A question that is begging for an answer, according to sources, is should the two bodies be recognized or not? 

    Although no rule under the new guidelines restricts two independent bodies having oversight over the sector,  a part of the ministry is skeptical about the efficacy of such a step. Others however, point out to the news broadcasting vertical – which  also has two independent bodies overseeing , one serving the old guard of early newscasters, and the other, the newbies.

    In this situation, what is more important for both bodies is to reach out to the ministry with all their compliance reports, an industry observer noted.  IBDF has announced that it will file a new content code and self regulatory mechanism that is going to be similar to the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC) model that the MIB has been asking for.   

    On the other hand, the OTT platforms are in talks with the ministry asking for more time to fall in line, which it has been loath to do. According to multiple industry sources, the platforms are putting in their best efforts to comply with the timelines. Although digital publishers have challenged the regulation in courts, it is unlikely that OTT platforms will take that route. Moreover, observers believe that MIB will not take any cohesive proactive  step against non-compliant platforms in the first instance.

    The days ahead will reveal in which direction the OTT sector and the MIB  will tilt. In the meanwhile, streamers have achieved what they do best: come sharply under the spotlight, once again.

    (Indiantelevision.com reached out to all the players in the streaming sector. No one was willing to speak let alone come on record, keeping in mind how delicately posed the situation is. However, a couple of the platforms finally agreed to share their views with us, but they preferred to stay anonymous.)