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Exclusivity had not been a feature of India’s fragmented cable
television market and the entry of newer technologies like DTH should
not change this, Trai has in effect said, though this has been hotly
contested by some broadcasters like Star, Sony and Discovery.
The regulator has given industry stakeholders till 5 November to
offer feedback on the draft regulation.
However, a Trai official made it clear that the feedback should
not harp on scrapping the 'must provide' (making available TV channels
to all platforms on a non-discriminatory basis) clause. “We are
seeking feedback on the modalities of interconnect agreement and
not why certain checks and balances have been put in place,” the
official explained.
Why issue a draft? According to Trai, subsequent to the release
of their recommendations on 1 October, on various issues, suggestions
have been made on the inter-connection regulation. Since regulation
for non-discriminatory access of TV channels is a major step in
the reforms of distribution of TV channels and this regulation will
have far reaching and long term impact on the growth of the industry,
it was decided that before finalising the regulation it would be
appropriate that all stake holders were given an
opportunity to comment on the draft regulation, Trai said.
Though the regulator has made some significant changes in the draft
regulation (like distinguishing between agent or intermediary and
distributors of TV channels), industry people said some other important
issues could have been better clarified and explained.
For example, what happens to the various minimum guarantee deals
that broadcasters had struck with MSOs and cable operators to beat
the continuing price freeze on subscription rates?
Though the draft inter-connect regulation admits volume discounts
can be given, it fails to clarify who is to define related factors
like technology of the distribution of TV channels and geographical
proximity.
Read Earlier Report:
Trai's
draft on interconnect rules issued
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