News Broadcasting
MSOs get CAS authorisation letters
MUMBAI: The government’s CAS rollout plan continues apace. All the major MSOs today received “CAS authorisations” from the sector regulator, which clears the way for the public awareness campaigns to kick on the stipulated date of 15 October.
According to IndusInd Media & Communications executive director Ashok Mansukhani, the letters issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) are dated 30 September and authorise an MSO to operate in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai “in the areas notified under Section 4(a) of the Cable Act 1995 as per 11(2) of the cable rules 1992 as amended in 2006.”
Says Mansukhani, “These letters clear the way for MSOs to seek authorisation from broadcasters to enter into revenue share agreements with broadcasters and operators in terms of the August 24 interconnect regulation and the August 31 tariff order issued by Trai. It also clears the way for us kick off the CAS awareness campaign by the mandated date of 15 October.”
Executives in the Zee Group promoted WWIL (earlier Siticable) also confirmed receiving the CAS authorisation letters.
It was on 18 September that Trai issued a directive that the date for starting public awareness campaign by permitted MSOs in CAS notified areas will be not later than 15 October. This directive was further to its earlier order specifying standards of quality of service to be observed by the MSOs / cable operators in CAS notified areas.
The CAS awareness campaign will last for a period of 30 days. The general directive also provides for filing of a compliance report immediately after the start as well as the end of the campaign.
Trai had issued a regulation on 23 August specifying standards of quality of service to be observed by the MSOs/ Cable Operators in CAS notified areas of Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. This regulation had stated that multi system operators permitted to provide cable services in CAS notified areas would be required to conduct a public awareness campaign from a date to be specified by Trai.
News Broadcasting
Govt extends suspension of BARC ratings for news channels by four weeks
Move aims to curb sensational coverage amid global conflict concerns
MUMBAI: India’s television news ratings freeze is set to run longer. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the suspension of Television Rating Points reporting for news channels by another four weeks, following its initial order issued on 6 March.
The directive had instructed the Broadcast Audience Research Council to temporarily halt TRP data for news broadcasters for a month, or until further notice. According to media reports, the pause has now been extended by an additional four weeks, taking the suspension into a second consecutive month and signalling continued regulatory unease.
At the heart of the decision are concerns over sensational and speculative reporting by sections of the news media, particularly during coverage of the US–Iran conflict. The ministry believes such content risks amplifying public anxiety and distorting viewer perception during sensitive geopolitical developments.
Industry watchers say the extension underscores a broader push to nudge news broadcasters towards more measured and responsible reporting. Earlier signals had hinted that the suspension could be prolonged further if channels failed to dial down panic-driven narratives.
For broadcasters and advertisers alike, the absence of TRP data continues to cloud visibility on audience behaviour, even as it sharpens the spotlight on editorial conduct.
