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Trai extends deadline for NTO 2.0 implementation to 1 April 2022
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has extended the deadline for implementation of the new tariff order (NTO) 2.0 to 1 April 2022. The previous deadline was 1 December.
Broadcasters will have to publish new reference interconnection offers (RIOs) to Trai by 31 December and simultaneously publish the required information about channel and bouquet offerings and their MRPs on their websites. The broadcasters who have already submitted their RIOs in compliance with NTO 2.0 can revise their RIOs by 31 December.
The deadline was extended as Trai received representations from many service providers and their associations such as broadcasters, DTH operators, MSOs and DPOs, according to a report by ET. The authority, after considering the concerns expressed by various stakeholders and especially with respect to time frame for migration of subscribers and taking their choice, is of the view that paucity of time should not come in the way of implementation of the new regulatory framework 2020 in seeking informed choices of more than 150 million pay TV consumers.
DPOs will have to obtain an option for subscription of new bouquets or channels from the subscribers in compliance with the provisions of NTO 2.0 from 1 February 2022 to 31 March 2022.
DPOs will have to report the distributor retail price (DRP) of pay channels, composition of bouquet of pay channels/free-to-air channels and DRPs of bouquets of pay channels by 31 January 2022 besides simultaneously publishing the information on their websites.
In June, the Bombay high court in its judgement upheld the NTO 2.0 order by Trai barring the second proviso of the twin conditions. The provision states that a-la-carte rates of pay channels shall not exceed more than three times the average rate of a pay channel of the bouquet of which such pay channel is part. TV broadcasters under the aegis of Indian Broadcasting Digital Foundation (IBDF) had moved to Bombay HC in January challenging the Trai order.
After the Bombay HC pronounced its judgement, broadcasters escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. The final SC hearing is scheduled on 30 November. Meanwhile, Trai directed broadcasters to comply with the Bombay HC judgement and publish new prices of their pay channels and bouquets that comply with the tariff order.
Leading broadcasters including Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Star and Disney India, Sony Pictures Networks India, Network18 Broadcast, Sun TV Network, Discovery Communications and WarnerMedia have published their RIOs effective from 1 December. As per NTO 2.0 provisions, Trai mandated a price cap of Rs 12 on pay channels to be included in a bouquet. To comply with this provision, major broadcasters pulled their popular channels from bouquets but also hiked the prices of these channels.
iWorld
Hari Om OTT premieres Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai series
First devotional show on Jhulelal Sai streams in Sindhi and Hindi.
MUMBAI: Hari Om OTT just turned the tide for devotional dramas because when Jhulelal Sai steps onto the small screen, even the waves start streaming in two languages. Hari Om OTT, India’s leading devotional streaming platform launched in June 2024, has premiered Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, a milestone series that marks the first-ever show dedicated to the revered deity of the Sindhi community. The show, starring Manish Raisinghani as Jhulelal Sai / Varun Dev and Parag Tyagi as Mirkh Shah, launched on Jhulelal Jayanti and is available in both Sindhi and Hindi.
The series chronicles the life, journey and teachings of Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, blending mythology with historical elements to deliver an authentic and inspiring narrative for global audiences.
Manish Raisinghani said, “Portraying Jhulelal Sai and Varun Dev was not just a role, it was a spiritual journey and a moment of immense pride for my family and community. This one holds a special place in my heart, especially since the show is coming in our very own Sindhi language as well.”
Parag Tyagi added, “Jhulelal Sai is the first-ever show that beautifully blends mythology with history. Hari Om has achieved something truly special by bringing the stories of our gods and goddesses to audiences in their authentic language.”
Hari Om OTT CEO Avinash Dugar said, “With Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, we’re excited to share this inspiring story with the Sindhi community and beyond. We will continue to showcase the stories of Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma to the world, presented in their own language.”
The premiere builds on Hari Om OTT’s track record of acclaimed devotional titles including Mata Lakshmi, Jai Jagannath, Shri Tirupati Balaji, Mata Saraswati and Chandra Dev, all focused on celebrating India’s cultural and spiritual legacy through high-quality storytelling.
In a streaming landscape crowded with fiction, Hari Om OTT is quietly proving that the most powerful stories aren’t made up, they’re the ones that have already inspired generations, now delivered straight to your screen in the language of devotion. Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai is now streaming on Hari Om OTT.
