AIDCF writes to MIB- Prasar Bharati must withdraw NIA

Prasar Bharti had issued a Notice Inviting Application(NIA) to all linear satellite TV channels on August 5 for onboarding on their OTT platform.

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, that this is a violation of clause 11(3) (f) of the Uplinking & Downlinking guidelines dated 9th November 2022 and its subsequent amendment dated 24th March 2023.

According to law, satellite TV channels cannot be part of Prasar Bharti’s proposed OTT platform and can only provide their signals to registered DPOs. The clause says satellite TV channel decoders can only be provided to licensed service providers, including MSOs, DTH, IPTV, and HITS operators. Also, Prasar Bharti is outside the purview of TRAI regulations and the Cable TV Act.

AIDCF has urged Sanjay Jaju, secretary, MIB, that Prasar Bharati withdraw the notice.
BCS Bureau