Cable TV customers lose most of channels as AIDCF members refuse to sign new NTO 2.0 RIO

Recently major broadcasters, such as Reliance, Disney Star, and Zee, have sent a notice to cable operators, requesting them to sign the Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) for the New Tariff Order (NTO) 2.0. As a result, most of the channels have been discontinued from all cable TV operators who are members of the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) including NXT Digital, Fastway, GTPL, etc.

The new tariff order was initially scheduled to be implemented from February 1, 2023. However, certain cable operators have not complied with the price hike. This notice was sent to all members of the AIDCF, which has an ongoing court case against TRAI regarding the implementation of the NTO 2.0.

As a result, many channels have now been blocked from the platform, and consumers have received a message explaining the situation. The message on unavailable channels stated, “Dear Consumers, Please note that the Broadcaster has switched off the channels from our platform as all Cable Service Providers have decided to oppose the unethical Steep Price hike. We have decided to protect the interest of the consumers against the steep price. Request your support and cooperation in this fight against the unethical prices declared by Broadcaster.”

In January, the AIDCF moved the Kerala High Court to request a stay on the implementation of the NTO 3.0. The AIDCF has also asked the court to issue directions to TRAI to examine and fix the maximum retail price for television channels genre-wise and put a cap on the maximum price of any channel to ensure the orderly growth of the digital cable television sector, as mandated by the TRAI Act, 1997.

However, the Kerala High Court has refused to stay the implementation of the tariff order, prompting the AIDCF not to raise channel pricing while the High Court hears the matter. While all DTH operators have already complied with TRAI’s NTO 2.0, cable TV operators have decided to show dissent and stand against its implementation.

Unfortunately, the end consumers are the ones who are suffering the most in this situation. They are left with only two options available: either miss their favourite channels for an unknown period of time or move to OTT or DTH, which will incur more expenses.