TRAI recommends limiting maximum number of platform service channels for DTH operators

The regulator has also told to create a separate genre named ‘Platform Service’ and put all PS channels under this category.

Avatar of Abhinav Kumar

By Abhinav Kumar

1 minute read

No comments

Share article:

Follow us
TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today finalised a list of recommendations for platform service (PS) channels available on various DTH operators, first accessed by DreamDTH.

The regulator has instructed all DTH operators that their PS channels must contain exclusive programs and the same shall not be permitted to be shared directly or indirectly with any other Distribution Platform Operator (DPO). If TRAI found the same program on PS channel of other operators then it may immediately stop the transmission of such programme while MIB can also cancel the registration of such PS channel.

TRAI in its recommendation capped the total number of PS to 3% of the total channel carrying capacity of the DTH operator platform and subject to a maximum of only 15 platform services channels.

Authority has barred Time-shift feed of registered TV channels such as +1 services to be allowed as a platform service and directed that PS channels must not include any registered TV channel or Doordarshan channel or foreign TV channel.

The regulator has also told to create a separate genre named ‘Platform Service’ and put all PS channels under this category. On the Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) price of PS channels should also be displayed just like regular satellite channels.

The one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 per PS channel is fixed for every operator. To distinguish PS channels from regular ones, TRAI has said to put a caption of ‘Platform Service’ whose size will be decided by the government.

Earlier DreamDTH has reported that DTH operators don’t want exclusivity as defining feature for PS channel and there were also against the idea of putting PS channels under separate category but the recommendations released by TRAI today are against their suggestions.

Share article:

Follow us

Tags:

DTHTRAI
Avatar of Abhinav Kumar

Abhinav Kumar

Editor-in-chief

442 articles published
Abhinav is the Editor-in-Chief at DreamDTH with over 5 years of experience in covering industry developments. He is passionate about staying appraised of the latest developments in the industry and bringing forth their shortcomings. Specializing in DTH, television, broadcasting, and the entertainment sector, Abhinav is dedicated to exploring the happenings in these dynamic fields. Outside of work, he indulges in podcasts and audiobooks and enjoys unwinding with light-hearted, sci-fi, and thriller shows.

Related articles

Visit our forums

Join the discussions with thousands of active members who share the same interests as you and learn something new…

Leave a Comment