TRAI's new draft regulation for Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels

[mmadhankumar]

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE​

TRAI releases the draft regulation “Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) (Amendment) Regulations, 2012”


New Delhi, 27th Aug. 2012- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released the draft regulation “Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) (Amendment) Regulations, 2012” for consultation with the stakeholders.

All the television channels are required to follow the advertising code as prescribed in the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994, as amended from time to time. Generally, the duration and the format of advertisements, as being carried in the TV channels, are not in accordance with the provisions laid down in the advertising code. With the primary objective of striking a balance between giving a consumer a good TV viewing experience and protecting the commercial interests of broadcasters, a consultation paper, titled “Issues related to Advertisements in the TV channels” was issued on 16th March 2012. Based on the views/comments of the stakeholders, including consumers and consumer organisations, analysis of various aspects, facts and available studies, TRAI notified the “Standards of Quality of Service (Duration Of Advertisements in Television Channels) Regulations” dated 14th May 2012.

The said regulation has been challenged by several broadcasters in the Hon’ble TDSAT. Taking into consideration the issues raised by the broadcasters, the Authority has decided to review the Standards of Quality of Service (Duration Of Advertisements in Television Channels) Regulations, dated 14th May 2012. Accordingly, a draft regulation “Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) (Amendment) Regulations, 2012” has been prepared for consultation with the stakeholders. Full text of the draft regulations is available on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).

Written comments on the draft regulations are invited from the stakeholders by 11th September, 2012. The comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form to Mr. Wasi Ahmad, Advisor (B&CS) on the e-mail address [email protected]/ [email protected]. The comments can also be mailed to address given below or faxed to 011-23220442. Comments will be posted on the TRAI’s website.


IMPORTANT POINTS FROM THE DRAFT

• No broadcaster shall, in its broadcast of a programme, carry advertisements exceeding twelve minutes in a clock hour.
• The picture and the audible matter of the advertisement shall not be excessively ‘loud
• All advertisement should be clearly distinguishable from the programme and should not in any manner interfere with the programme viz., use of lower part of screen to carry captions, static or moving alongside the programme.
• No programme shall carry advertisements exceeding 12 minutes per hour, which may include up to 10 minutes per hour of commercial advertisements, and up to 2 minutes per hour of a channel’s self-promotional programmes.”

NOTE: The draft regulation attached below.

 

[nskaran]

@mmadhankumar, we heard about this news since long time, when they are going to implement this rule, specifically Advertisements break restriction rule. I dont think in India this will be implemented easily. The broadcasters will go to the court and the case will be going on & going on without end. In fact i was thinking yesterday to start a thread regarding this rule. nj

 

[mmadhankumar]

yes bro this is a long pending issue. TRAI issued this regulation around 3 months back i think and the broadcasters didnt accept the terms of TRAI and went to court and TDSAT.

So, TRAI has now changed few rules and released the new draft yesterday and asked for the comments from broadcasters.

The most important change was, earlier FTA channels were allowed 12 mins break and PAY channels has 6 min break. But now TRAI removed this and all broadcaster can have 12 min break. Lets see what happens

 

[SUNIEL]

Hope to something good.