New uplinking, downlinking norms approved for TV channels

The revised guidelines approved by the cabinet made it mandatory for private channels to broadcast content in national and public interest for at least 30 minutes every day.

In addition, the government has mandated companies to ensure that uplinking is done on specific frequency bands that were approved, and for all bands (besides the C band) the uplinking should be in encrypted mode. Basically free-to-air channels, except in the C band, have to be encrypted. The government is hopeful that the new guidelines will protect some of the TV channels from the unfair benefits they had earlier enjoyed.

In August, the ministry had to withdraw its permission to Zee Media Corp Ltd (ZMCL) to uplink 10 television channels available on Ku-band (a form of satellite frequency) on the GSAT-15 satellite, thereby making the channels accessible on DD. helped to create. Free Dish, since they were not encrypted, gave the company an unfair advantage over its competitors.

The ministry said in a statement that the guidelines are easy to follow and will simplify the process. Previously, permission was required for live uplinking for non-news live events. Now companies will only have to register instead of taking permission from the ministry.

For channels moving from standard definition to high definition, companies are not required to seek permission of the government, but a notice will suffice, it added. Companies can uplink channels from more than one teleport or satellite, unlike before. Earlier, companies were not allowed to use Indian teleport to uplink foreign channels to downlink content in foreign markets. To earn foreign exchange, the government allowed foreign channels to uplink from Indian teleport and downlink outside India.

However, companies and LLPs seeking permission would be required to deposit a security deposit twice the annual fee with the government to ensure payment of dues, the ministry said. Earlier there was no security deposit rule.