The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (“TRAI”) vide a Direction dated 18th August, 2020 has extended the date on which broadcasters were supposed to report to the Authority for name, nature, language, maximum retail prices per month of channels and maximum retail price per month of bouquets of channels, or composition of bouquets and also amend Reference Interconnected Offer (“RIO”) in compliance with the provisions of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff (Second Amendment) Order, 2020 (“Order”) and the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (“Regulations”).
The earlier date on which broadcaster were supposed to report was 10th August, 2020 but now it has been extended till 26th August, 2020.
The Broadcasters had challenged the 24th July, 2020 Direction in the High Court of Bombay and filed two Interim Applications (IA) which was accepted by the Court and the extension till 26th August, 2020 was granted.
Background
TRAI issued a Directed dated 24th July, 2020 whereby broadcaster were told to report to the Authority for name, nature, language, maximum retail prices per month of channels and maximum retail price per month of bouquets of channels, or composition of bouquets and also amend RIO in compliance with the provisions of the Order and Regulations and to publish such information on their websites as per the revised Tariff Order.
All Broadcasters were required to publish revised Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of a-la-carte channels and bouquets by 15th January, 2020, but Broadcasters and stakeholders challenged various provisions of the Tariff Amendment Order, 2020 and Regulations in various High Courts including High Court of Bombay in March, 2020.
The Authority by a letter to all Broadcasters and all distributers of television channels directed them to take suitable steps to implement provisions of the Order, but still the Broadcasters did not implement the Order and the Regulation. The Authority noted that the bouquets of pay channels provided by them are not in compliance with the provisions of the Tariff Amendment Order, 2020.
The Broadcasters have to revise their prices in order to promote the healthy and orderly growth of the sector and to balance the interests of service providers and to safeguard the interest of the consumers, therefore, it is necessary to give effect to the Order and the Regulations.
Source : Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
