The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is looking to initiate consultations with stakeholders to streamline regulatory framework for obtaining licences for TV channels. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has asked the regulator to review the existing policy for obtaining licences for the launch of TV channels.
Speaking at the sidelines of the CII Big Picture summit, TRAI Secretary SK Gupta said that as of now the process of obtaining licences for TV channels is a tedious process requiring various permissions.
“A reference has come from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to us to look into the process that is adopted for giving licences to TV channels. It has asked us to look at what can be done to streamline this process and make it time-bound to encourage ease of doing business. We will look at a consultation process for the same,” he added.
He said that the I & B Ministry has also flagged certain issues with the existing licensing framework and the regulator will look at solutions to overcome these issues and make the process transparent.
The existing policy involves multiple clearances from multiple ministries or government agencies that result in delays sometimes for six months to a year. Besides, I&B Ministry, approvals need to be sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Wireless Planning and Co-ordination among other departments.
Some industry observers are viewing this move by the government as an effort to look at increasing revenue generation from the licensing process for TV channels. The industry has in the past urged the government to set up a single window clearance for process of obtaining licences for TV channel. After obtaining a licence, broadcasters are also required to renew licences annually.