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Tag: TV channels

  • MIB advises private TV channels to abide by programme code

    MIB advises private TV channels to abide by programme code

    KOLKATA: A new trend in reportage of recent incidents has put media into the spotlight for violating basic ethics. Amid the strong criticism that the industry is facing, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory asking all the channels to abide by the programme and advertising codes.

    Read more news on MIB

    The ministry has emphasised on the provisions that restrict programmes containing anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half truths; criticizes, maligns or slander any individuals in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country.

    It has also mentioned a recent case in the Delhi High Court which issued a notice following a petition by the actor Rakul Preet Singh. The court also stated that it hoped that media houses and TV channels would show restraint and abide by the program code and other guidelines while making any report in connection with the actor.

    At that time, the high court also directed Prasar Bharati and News Broadcasters Association, apart from the centre, to consider Singh's petition, " as a representation and decide it expeditiously, including any interim direction that ought to be made.”

  • I&B ministry warns TV channels against airing content inciting violence

    I&B ministry warns TV channels against airing content inciting violence

    MUMBAI: In the wake of the ongoing CAA protests and Delhi riots, the ministry of information and broadcasting has issued an advisory to all private and satellite channels to be cautious with content which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contain anything against the maintenance of law and order or which promotes "anti-national attitudes".

    TV channels are also advised to be cautious about airing content which contains attacks on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promotes communal attitudes.

    The broadcaster must be careful before airing content which contains anything defamatory, deliberate, false or suggestive innuendos and half-truth.

    The ministry has asked channels to ensure strict compliance of code and also ensure that no content is telecast which violate the programming and  advertising code. 

    This is the second such advisory sent out by the ministry with the last one coming out in January. 

  • News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) pushes for democratic governance, content regulation norms

    News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) pushes for democratic governance, content regulation norms

    The topmost executives of India’s news Industry, part of the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) recently met in Mumbai to decide on the critical issues involving content regulation and governance within the Industry. In a meeting attended by over 30 top executives representing national and regional channels, a decision has been taken to form an ‘alternative standards’ organisation called the News Broadcasters Federation Authority, aiming to bring in more transparent self-regulation on content. More than 50 news channels have come together to create a charter and a governance board for NBF.

    The News industry trade body has decided to open-up memberships for TV channels and broadcasters from across India, starting November 1st, 2019. This is the first time in the history of Indian broadcasting that a group of regional and national broadcasters have come together to form a body that represents their combined interests and perspective on matters related to the news broadcasting industry.

    Another key decision taken by the NBF is that its upcoming Secretariat will be based out of the National Capital – Delhi, given the proximity to the Government Ministries, concerned Departments and Industry Regulators.

    The meeting and finalisation of the agenda to move forward with NBF is critical and comes at a time when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is finalising a draft of rules and regulations to hold media accountable, including the proposed framework for online content and news. Significantly, the first formal meeting of the NBF also saw support pouring in from some distribution platform operators or DPOs, who also own television news channels.

    News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) was formed in July this year, bringing together 50 news channels representing broadcasters from all languages and all regions of India, making it the true representative of broadcasters across India. The NBF will be governed by a Board of Directors, and four Issues-Specific Committees to be constituted among the members. The Committee on Public Policy will address the larger issues with various stakeholders including Government of India, State Governments, Judiciary, and civil society organisations.

    NBF aims to have a self-regulatory body – ‘News Broadcasters Federation Authority’, which will create new standards for news broadcasting and address any violation through a committee of editors from within the federation. The self-regulation mechanism will be led by a Chairman, and four independent eminent persons, and another four editors.

    A structured Committee on Distribution will be formed in order to increase the consumption of news and expand the viewership of member companies both within India and outside.  A Committee on Finance will also be formed to help member companies to strengthen liquidity through technology-driven solutions. NBF will also explore setting up other committees as and when the need arises.
     

  • TRAI extends deadline for selection of TV channels to March 31

    TRAI extends deadline for selection of TV channels to March 31

    MUMBAI: The telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday extended the deadline for consumers to pick their television channels under the new tariff regime till March 31. The sector regulator stated that old plans of consumers would continue until they exercise their options before the new deadline.

    The subscribers that don’t opt for new channels would be moved to ‘Best Fit Plans’, which would be developed as per usage pattern, language and channel popularity.

    While making 'Best  Fit  Plan’ for a subscriber, DPOs should ensure that payout per month of the  'best  fit plan' generally does not exceed the payout per month of existing tariff plan of the subscriber, TRAI said.

    Subscribers will be free to change their 'best fit plan' at any date and time on or before 31st March and DPOs will have to convert their  'best fit plan' into the desired pack (channel/ Bouquet) within 72 hours.

    The TRAI also clarified that there will be no 'lock-in period' for the subscribers till 31st  March who has been migrated to  'best fit plan' by DPOs.

    Subscribers who have taken long term packs will continue to avail the services for the contracted period. However, they have the freedom to choose the channels of their choice under the new regulatory framework and in case if they exercise this option, money for the remaining period shall be adjusted for their future use.

    TRAI stated that some subscribers are facing difficulties in selecting the channels/ bouquet of their choice. In some cases, LCOs have not been able to reach out to the subscriber to create awareness among them and collect the options.

    According to the TRAI, close to 65% cable subscribers and 35% DTH subscribers have already exercised their channel options under the new tariff regime. 

  • DPOs say TRAI tariff order lacks value without 15% bouquet discount cap

    DPOs say TRAI tariff order lacks value without 15% bouquet discount cap

    MUMBAI: With TRAI’s petition seeking clarity on the 15 per cent bouquet discount cap being dismissed as withdrawn in the Supreme Court, distribution platform operators (DPOs) are of the opinion that the entire value chain is now bound to function like it did before the new tariff order came into existence.

    Last month, the regulator had filed a petition in the top court on the issue of 15 per cent cap on discount on a bouquet price of TV channels to consumers that had been set aside by Madras High Court while upholding TRAI’s right to regulate the broadcast sector.

    Highlighting the delay, the Supreme Court was of the opinion that the TRAI should have sought clarification on the clause while arguments were being presented in the matter last year.

    With the court’s latest act, CEO of the Chandigarh-headquartered MSO Fastway Peeush Mahajan believes that the DPOs will not be in a position to package their product, thereby being reduced to just passing on to consumers the offerings broadcasters have prepared.

    “Basically what I’m seeing is, we are back to stage one. 15 per cent clause, as per me, is the gist of the entire tariff order. With 15 per cent gone, there will now be predatory pricing. Broadcasters will keep the rates higher for a-la-carte channels and give a discount of 50-60 per cent on the bouquets,” Mahajan told Indiantelevision.com.

    Maharashtra Cable Operators’ Federation (MCoF) committee member Asif Syed concurs with Mahajan. According to him, the 15 per cent clause was in the interest of consumers as well as the MSOs.

    “If the capping is not allowed now, the problem would be MSOs won't be able to bundle all the packages. If someone wants to watch a Marathi GEC, right now there is no option wherein you can get Star Pravah and Zee Marathi in the same package. MSOs could have done that had there been a 15 per cent cap. We won't market the pay channels. Since we are not getting a good share why should we help the broadcasters? Let them advertise, let them do the hard work. There would be resistance from our side,” Syed further added.

    The DPOs point out that the problem with the pre tariff order period was that the a-la-carte pricing was very high and bouquet pricing was extremely low. In a sense, that’s the direction the industry will now be headed in.

    “As on today, we basically have an LCO and subscriber contact programme where we are reaching to the LCOs and they are further reaching the subscribers. Now there is a big resistance from the cable operators, so let’s see how this will shape up. We are trying to convince the cable operators that we have to implement the order but the actual number of consumers registered by the LCOs is unknown,” Mahajan stated.

    While the regulator failed to get a written assurance on whether the court would entertain similar pleas in the future, there’s little doubt of it seeking further amendments to the order going forward.

    “To my understanding, TRAI has withdrawn the petition. In my belief, TRAI will definitely take steps to bring about whatever amendments are required in the tariff order so that it meets the objectives. In the meanwhile, it would be better if broadcasters review their negative approach and make it friendly to consumers as well as DPOs,” Kerala Communicators Cable Limited (KCCL) CEO Shaji Mathews highlighted.

    A section of the DPOs believes that broadcasters have acted, by adopting an unrealistic pricing model, against the spirit of the TRAI order. This, they feel, has been done in order to pressurise TRAI as well as DPOs. The regulator’s objective was to ensure that rates are realistic. Broadcasters not adhering to realistic pricing models amounts to deliberately defeating the purpose of the tariff order, says an MSO CEO who did not wish to be quoted.

    The TRAI is now set to meet major MSOs and broadcasters to discuss the implementation of the tariff order on 4 January. That is when there will be further clarity on what lies ahead for the entire content distribution value chain.

  • TRAI says no blackout of TV channels on 29 December

    TRAI says no blackout of TV channels on 29 December

    MUMBAI: Speculations have been rife about a complete blackout of TV channels on December 29 following the Supreme Court orders of implementing a new tariff regime, as the system allegedly is not ready for such a big move. Squashing all such rumours, regulator TRAI has asserted that it has advised all the broadcasters, DPOs, and LCOs to ensure there is no disruption of TV services.

    It says in the release, “The authority is seized of the matter and hereby advises that all broadcasters/DPOs/LCOs will ensure that any channel that a consumer is watching today is not discontinued on 29.12.2018. Hence, there will be no disruption of TV services due to implementation of the new regulatory framework.”

    The release further reads, “Keeping in view the interest of the subscribers and to enable a smooth transition, the authority is preparing a detailed migration plan for all the existing subscribers. The migration plan will provide ample opportunity to each and every subscriber for making informed choice. This will also enable service providers in carrying out the various activities as stipulated in the new regulatory framework in a time-bound manner.”

    As per TRAI, the new tariff order will give consumers the power to choose and will also lower the prices for TV channels. This new framework allows them to select and pick channels that they like to watch and pay accordingly. It also requires the TV broadcasters to disclose maximum retail price (MRP) of their respective channels and also of the channel bouquets. As per the Supreme Court verdict of 30 October 2018, the service providers were advised to complete the preparation for migration to the new framework by 28 December 2018.

    Earlier, as well, TRAI had asked the broadcasters to work closely with all the service providers to ensure a hassle-free transformation, in the interest of the consumers.

  • MIB cancels permission to two channels

    MIB cancels permission to two channels

    BENGALURU: Permissions to two private channels – one news and current affairs and one non-news and current affairs channel have been cancelled in this calendar year as on 28 February 2018 as per the information put out by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). The total number of private satellite and pay TV channels having valid permissions as of 28 February 2018 stood at 875 as compared to 877 as on 31 December 2018. As on 28 February 2018, the number of private news and current affairs channels that were permitted in India stood at 388, while the number of permitted private non-news and current affairs channels was 487.

    There has been a dearth of licences being handed out in the last nine months. So far, 2018 has seen the addition of only two new channel licences namely Discovery Jeet HD and DSport HD. Before that, the last licence was issued in September 2017.

    Of the 875 permitted private TV channels, 774 channels were permitted to both uplink and downlink to India. 368 of the TV channels that were permitted to both uplink and downlink were news and current affairs channels, while 406 were non-news and current affairs channels. 16 private channels were permitted to uplink from India, but not to downlink in India. Five of these channels were news and current affairs channels and 11 were non-news and current affairs channels. The total number of private channels that were permitted only to downlink to India was 85 as on 28 February 2018. The breakup of these channels was 15 news channels and 70 non-news channels.

    The government had issued licenses to 45 channels in 2017 as compared to 75 in the previous calendar year (2016). In all, permission has been granted to 1,101 channels. Permission was cancelled for 226 channels, with 66 in 2017 alone. 44.3 percent or 388 of the permitted channels were news and current affairs channels.

    Also Read :

    No new channels added in December 2017

  • No specific instance of paid news on private TV channels yet: MIB

    No specific instance of paid news on private TV channels yet: MIB

    MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has not yet had to face the menace of paid news on news channels. In a reply to the Lok Sabha or Lower House of Parliament, junior minister of MIB Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore informed that no specific instance of paid news in electronic media (private satellite TV channels) has been brought to the notice of the ministry.

    He further added that instances of paid news during election time were directly dealt by the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The existing provisions contained in the Programme and Advertising Codes (PAC) and the existing mechanism are considered adequate to regulate content on TV channels.

    The minister was speaking in response to questions raised regarding paid news on 24X7 news channels and the ministry’s action on the same. Rathore also stated that the existing rules under the Cable TV Network Rules of 1994 were good enough to ensure channels didn’t cross their lines and the act does not allow for pre-censorship, only penalty after telecast. “Action is taken against TV channels whenever violation of the PAC is established,” he said.

    The PAC contains a wide range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on such TV channels including the content likely to pose menace of news sensationalism and breaking news culture. Rathore named a few rules:

    Rule 6(c) provides that no programme should be carried in the cable service which contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes;

    Rule 6(d) provides that no programme should be carried in the cable service which contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half-truths;

    Rule 6(e) provides that no programme should be carried in the cable service which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promote anti-national attitudes;

    Also Read :

    MIB says fewer TV channels violating ad, prog norms

    Govt warned 55 violators of programme & ad codes in 3 yrs, says Rathore

    Prog & Advt Code violation: 30 channels faced action in 2015 & 2016

  • MIB nod to TV channels on hold till TRAI uplink, downlink suggestions

    MIB nod to TV channels on hold till TRAI uplink, downlink suggestions

    MUMBAI: It’s official now. The Indian government has put on hold, since January 2018, clearances of new applications for TV channels till the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) comes out with recommendations on issues relating to uplinking and downlinking of TV channels.

    According to government sources, in a note circulated mid-January 2018 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) it was proposed to keep in “abeyance” permissions to all new TV channels till a “new policy” was put in place after studying recommendations from broadcast and telecoms regulator TRAI.

    TRAI had floated a consultation paper on issues relating to uplink and downlink of TV channels in India mid-December 2017 on receiving a reference from the MIB to study the particular aspect and come out with suggestions. This consultation was initiated even as the regulator had been discussing various other issues with stakeholders of the broadcast and cable sectors on ease of doing business and inputs for the National Telecom Policy 2018. Subsequently, it submitted its recommendations to the government on ease of doing business and the NTP.

    Even as the TRAI is yet to formulate its recommendations on uplink and downlink of TV channels, as an indirect fallout of the MIB proposal—as also certain other feedback from agencies like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)—the government has also put on hold processing any change being sought by existing TV channels.

    The sources indicated that out of the 97-odd applications from TV channels under-process, 30 are fresh applications. Show-cause notices have also been issued by the MIB to some 100 companies on the advice of the MCA for various irregularities. Out of the companies asked to explain, three had applied for clearances for additional TV channels.

    Meanwhile, in its consultation paper on uplink and downlink of TV channels, amongst various other points, the TRAI had raised the following issues also:

    ·        Should net-worth requirement of the applicant company for granting uplinking permission, and/or downlinking permission be increased?

    ·        Should there be different net-worth requirements for uplinking of news and non-news channels?

    ·        Whether auction of satellite TV channels as a complete package, similar to FM radio channels, is feasible?

    ·        Is it technically feasible to auction individual legs of satellite TV broadcasting, that is uplinking space spectrum, satellite transponder capacity, and downlinking space spectrum?

    ·        Is it feasible to auction satellite TV channels without restricting the use of foreign satellites, and uplinking of signals of TV channels from foreign soil?

    ·        If it is decided to continue granting of licenses for satellite TV channels on administrative basis, as is the case presently, what should be the entry fee for grant of license for uplinking of TV channels from India, downlinking of TV channels uplinked from India, and downlinking of foreign TV channels?

    ·        What should be the license fees structure, that is fixed, variable, or semi-variable, for uplinking and downlinking of satellite TV channels? Please elaborate if any other license fee structure is proposed, with appropriate justification.

    ·        If the variable license fee structure is proposed, then what should be rate of license fee for TV channels uplinked from India and TV channels uplinked from abroad, and what should be the definition of AGR (annual gross revenue)?

    ·        If the semi-variable license fee structure is proposed, then what should be the minimum amount of license fee per annum for domestic channels (uplinked and downlinked in India), uplink only channels, and downlinking of foreign channels (uplinked from abroad)?

    ·        If the fixed license fee structure is proposed, then what should be the license fee per annum for domestic channels, uplink only channels, and downlinking of foreign channels?

    ·        What should be the periodicity for payment of the license fee to the government? Please support your answer with justification.

    ·        What should be the periodicity for review of the entry fee and license fee rates?

    .        Should all TV channels, i.e, pay as well as FTA satellite TV channels, be broadcasted through satellite in encrypted mode?

    Also Read :

    Regulatory hurdles prompt Star to telecast IPL’s Kannada feed on Star Suvarna Plus

    Broadcasters, DPOs oppose TV channel auction proposal

    No new channels added in December 2017

    MIB, DoS nudge TV channel to use Indian satellites

    MIB reverts to earlier norms of seeking nod from ISRO on uplink/downlink of TV channels

  • No new channels added in December 2017

    No new channels added in December 2017

    BENGALURU: Since 31 October 2017, the number of licences issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has remained the same. According to an MIB status report, permitted private satellite TV channels having valid permission in India stood at 877 as on 31 December 2017. No new licences were issued in November and December 2017.

    The government had issued licences to 45 channels in 2017 as compared to 75 in the previous calendar year. In all, permission has been granted to 1,099 channels. Permission was cancelled for 222 channels, with 66 in 2017 alone. 44.4 percent or 389 of the permitted channels were news and current affairs channels; 488 channels were non-news and current affairs channels.

    Of the 877 channels, 778 channels were permitted to both uplink from and downlink into India. Of these, 369 or 47.4 percent were news channels and 409 were non-news channels. Sixteen channels, of which 5 (31.25 percent) were news channels and 11 were non-news that have been permitted for uplink from, but not downlink into, India. Sixty-eight channels have been permitted only to downlink into India and not to uplink from the country. Of these 68 channels, 15 (22.1 percent) were news channels.

    Nine new channels (one news channel and 8 non-news channels) were allowed between 1 August and 31 August 2017. In September 2017, two licences and just one licence in October 2017 were granted.