The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is now closely watching every DTH and cable operator along with the broadcasters to ensure that the proper implementation of the new tariff rule happens. In the past few days, the regulator has already issued notifications informing about some changes and details and the tariff rule, and now the regulator has tightened the noose around the DPOs as it is urging them to list the channels under their proper genres. The regulator also received many complaints from TV18 and TV Today Network about Republic Bharat which was listed outside the Hindi News genre to garner more viewership.
Every Channel to be Listed Under Respective Genres
Trai in its statement said, “The authority has received many complaints alleging transmission of television channels on dual LCN or placement of television channels by the distributors of TV channels, out of the genre declared by the broadcaster.” As per the new Trai regulation, every DPO listing its channels on the DTH platform or with the cable operators should do so under the proper genre tags including ‘devotional’, ‘general entertainment’, ‘infotainment’, ‘kids’, ‘movies’, ‘music’, ‘news and current affairs’, ‘sports’ or ‘miscellaneous’.
Non-Complying DPOs to Face Wrath of Trai
Trai has also noted that the electronic programme guide which is available to the subscribers should also include these channels classified according to the genres. The broadcasters should list these channels as per the required mandate so that the consumers can surf through them quickly with one channel appearing only under one genre. Trai has also said that action will be taken against the DPOs and broadcasters who fail to comply with this rule.
Trai’s official statement in this regard says, “Now, therefore, the authority, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it under section 13, read with clause (b) of sub-section (I) of section 11, of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997) and in order to protect the interest of service providers and consumers and ensure orderly growth of the sector, hereby directs all distributors of the television channels to ensure that the television channels of the same genre, as declared by the broadcasters, are placed together consecutively, and one channel shall appear at one place only failing which action shall be taken against such distributors, under the provisions of Trai Act, 1997.”
Trai Puts BARC in Crosshair for Not Publishing Viewership Data
On Sunday also, Trai came out with a warning to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) saying that it has not yet published the rating and viewership data during the transition to the new tariff regime. The regulator said that if the BARC does not comply then appropriate action will be taken. Lately, Trai has been vigilant about the regulations in the TV industry, especially with the migration to the new tariff regime Trai is ensuring proper regulatory following for all the related companies or organisations.
