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Broadcasters, Multi System Operators and Cable Operators are set to meet the Information and Broadcasting Minister next week to discuss their concerns over the new TRAI order for digital cable.
On Monday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had passed an order making it mandatory for channels to have capacity to carry 500 channels by a certain time period, as well as giving MSOs the right to fix carriage fee rate.
News broadcasters have said the TRAI order is “legitimising” carriage fee. Indian Broadcasting Foundation too in a statement, on Friday, said that carriage fee is crippling various broadcasters, especially the small-sized companies and that it will seek clarity from the regulator on the matter.
Cable operators especially the smaller ones have also expressed concerns about revenue share as well as the mandatory need to have a capacity to carry 500 channels.
Talking at the annual media and entertainment summit of industry body Assocham, Information & Broadcasting Minister, Ms Ambika Soni, said that the Government will look into these concerns.
She said that cable digitalisation will bring in the much needed transparency in the cable system, help tabulate the number of subscribers enabling operators to expand their revenue source and provide more choice to the customers.
Reacting to Press Council of India Chairman, Mr Justice Katju's criticism on content of news broadcasters, Ms Soni said, “I believe that self regulation by media is a slower process, but a surer process and will have a long-term advantage.”
She said that broadcasters have stated that they are facing the twin challenges of grabbing television rating points to grab higher advertising revenues and pay carriage fee to be visible to more and more viewers.
“I believe digitalisation will help solve these problems as it will mean more subscription fee and bring in transparency on viewership,” Ms Soni added.
Ms Soni also said that the I&B Ministry in collaboration with the HRD Ministry will set up a committee to look into the running and training of media schools.
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