The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has urged Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to expedite release of the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. The ministry had submitted its Action Taken Report to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, stating that the process would take some time and that the committee would be kept updated on its progress.
On March 11, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) emphasized the urgent need to create a level playing field for all broadcasting services and address challenges related to satellite-based technologies, which continue to be governed by outdated legislation.
The report stated, “In light of these concerns, the committee believes that the cable TV industry requires regulation through a comprehensive act. Therefore, we recommend that the Ministry ensure the timely enactment of the proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, as it will significantly address industry concerns.”
The Ministry further stated, “Regarding the timeline for presenting the draft bill before Parliament, the Ministry will prepare a draft Cabinet Note after completing consultations with stakeholders. This note will then be circulated for inter-ministerial consultation. After that, the draft bill will be submitted for the Cabinet’s approval. This process is expected to take some time, and the committee will be kept informed of its progress.”
The release of MIB’s Action Taken Report provides important insights into the government’s stance on key issues affecting the cable TV sector. AIDCF acknowledges the Ministry’s efforts to address some of the industry’s concerns, particularly through the acceptance of certain recommendations.
AIDCF noted that the Parliamentary Committee has recognized these concerns and reiterated that MIB, as the nodal ministry for cable television regulation in India, must actively seek updates on these matters and provide a more comprehensive response at the earliest opportunity.
An AIDCF spokesperson said, “We also request the Honorable Ministry to bring the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, at the earliest possible time. The contributions of TRAI and MIB in bringing relief to the industry are commendable and undeniable.”
However, cable operators are also raising serious concerns that the government must address to support the growth of the cable TV industry.
A senior cable industry veteran stated, “Consumer choice is being undermined due to deep discounting—up to 45%—on à la carte versus bundled channel pricing. This issue needs to be resolved. For a three-hour movie, TV consumers end up watching for nearly five hours due to excessive advertisements, despite paying ₹19 for that channel. There is an urgent need for better content on TV, and advertising time also needs to be reviewed.”
Additionally, serious reforms are required to address the decline in cable TV subscribers, which is also leading to significant job losses, he added.
AIDCF also applauded MIB for implementing progressive measures such as extending the MSO renewal period to 10 years, creating a National Register for LCOs, introducing online registration for LCOs, ensuring channels are strictly classified as either Pay or Free-to-Air (FTA), preventing Pay channels from being aired as FTA on DD Free Dish, and recommending policy guidelines for FAST channels.
An AIDCF spokesperson stated, “Despite these positive developments, several key challenges continue to strain the cable TV industry and require urgent attention, such as escalating channel prices, forced bundling, reduced consumer choice, regulatory imbalances with OTT platforms, linear TV channels on streaming platforms, and the misuse of regulatory loopholes by FAST channels.”
While MIB and TRAI play a crucial role in shaping a regulatory environment that supports the long-term sustainability of the cable TV industry, swift reforms are necessary to curb the sector’s decline, the spokesperson added.
The Cable TV industry in India is currently regulated by multiple laws, rules, and guidelines under various authorities such as the MIB, TRAI, and DoT. Recognizing the complexity of the existing system, the MIB has taken steps to streamline regulations. It has also acknowledged the urgent need to create a level playing field for all broadcasting services, including satellite-based technologies.
In 2021, the MIB issued guidelines allowing Multi-System Operators (MSOs) to share infrastructure, such as headends and networks, under specific conditions. This move is expected to reduce costs and promote small-scale operators by eliminating the need for heavy investments.
Another major reform is the shift from offline to online registration for Local Cable Operators (LCOs). Currently, LCOs register at local Head Post Offices, making the process cumbersome and inefficient. The MIB is in the advanced stages of launching an online registration system, which will be integrated into the Broadcast Seva Portal. This will simplify registration, improve compliance, and provide PAN-India validity for operators.
To improve oversight and transparency, the MIB is developing a Cable TV Monitoring Cell (CTMC), which will ensure that MSOs regularly report subscriber data. This initiative is designed to address issues like underreporting and tax evasion, which have been longstanding concerns in the industry.
Another major reform is the shift from offline to online registration for Local Cable Operators (LCOs). Currently, LCOs register at local Head Post Offices, making the process cumbersome and inefficient. The MIB is in the advanced stages of launching an online registration system, which will be integrated into the Broadcast Seva Portal. This will simplify registration, improve compliance, and provide PAN-India validity for operators.
The government responded to recommendations suggesting measures such as decriminalization of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, to increase investor confidence. Regulatory simplifications, such as longer license renewal periods for MSOs (extended to 10 years). Encouraging regional content through a new regulatory framework for Platform Services (PS) channels.