Information And Broadcasting Ministry Considers Bill To Regulate OTT, DTH Services
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India is contemplating the introduction of a new bill aimed at regulating broadcasting services, encompassing over-the-top (OTT) apps and direct-to-home (DTH) services. The bill, currently in its early stages, is expected to be addressed after the general elections next year. It will primarily focus on regulating OTT services engaged in broadcasting, while one-to-one or direct messaging OTTs will be addressed in the Indian Telecommunications Bill.
According to sources, the draft of the bill is not yet public, but work is ongoing to prepare it for future consideration. Previously, broadcasting was included in the definition of communication within the telecom bill, but it has now been separated for individual regulation. All outstanding issues to the bill have reportedly been resolved.
This move follows the inclusion of OTT platforms under government regulation through the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Additionally, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has received representations, particularly from cable operators, urging the regulation of OTT platforms to establish a level playing field.
Traditional cable operators have expressed concerns about the growing competition from streaming platforms. While discussions are underway regarding a single regulator for broadcasting services, TRAI”s jurisdiction is currently limited to tariffs, while content regulation falls under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Recently, video-streaming platforms reached out to the government to reaffirm their commitment to responsible content creation and self-regulation in response to increased scrutiny by authorities. Additionally, the Cellular Operators Association of India has suggested that OTTs should be required to contribute a “fair share” of their revenues to telecom service providers responsible for delivering content to consumers. COAI argues that this would help redistribute revenues generated by OTTs and contribute to the Indian economy. These discussions have arisen as a few major companies dominate global internet traffic and reap significant earnings from consumers and advertisers.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India is taking significant steps to address the regulation of broadcasting services, with a particular focus on the ever-expanding realm of over-the-top (OTT) apps and direct-to-home (DTH) services. While the bill is still in its early stages and likely to be considered after the upcoming general elections, it marks a clear recognition of the need to adapt to the evolving media landscape.
