News Broadcasting
TRAI releases CAS consultation note; seeks inputs by 30 Jan
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which had promised to come out with a consultation note within ten days of the notification entrusting it with additional responsibility of overseeing broadcasting and cable services as a regulator, has just now released a “consultation note” for the industry.
For the present, TRAI has frozen the prices of cable services in respect of free to air (FTA) and pay channels as on 26 December 2003 for CAS and non CAS areas.
This raises the question over whether connectivity will also be frozen as of 26 December. This is in the light of certain channels claiming that they have not increased their rates, but have reduced the rates, provided the cable ops and MSOs have increased their declared subscription base, which in effect, is tantamount to a rate hike.
TRAI has said it would like written responses by 30 January, 2004 to be sent to “Dr Harsha Vardhana Singh,Secretary, TRAI (trai07@bol.net.in) or to Rajan Singla, Advisor (trai@del2.vsnl.net.in). The fax number of TRAI is 011-26193294,” says the consultation note.
Among the key issues it is seeking inputs for include:
a) The norms for fixing rates (or ceiling rates) for cable subscribers/ cable operators / Multi Service Operators for individual pay channels, bouquets thereof, and distribution of free-to-air channels; whether this should be uniform in areas under CAS and non-CAS areas or whether it should be different; other principles for determining the above mentioned rates, including periodicity of revision.
b) Regulation regarding rates of cable operators, including periodicity of change of monthly cable charges in non-CAS areas and the maximum percentage change to be allowed at any one time.
c) Principles governing the sharing of pay channel charges between broadcasters, Multi Service Operators and local cable operators.
d) The principles for laying down limits as to the extent of bundling of pay channels to be allowed in order to ensure that Cable TV viewers have a genuine choice with regard to selection of pay channels, e.g. to ensure that bundling does not discourage selection of individual channels.
e) The standard terms and conditions under which set top boxes may be made available (sale/rental) to subscribers in CAS areas and refund of charges deemed inappropriate.
f) The conditions under which consumers may return set top boxes
sold or rented to them by service providers and ask for a refund;
g) The compensation to be paid by cable operators to viewers who have
ordered pay channels if transmission is interrupted for more than a
specified portion of prime time (e.g.10%) in a month or in the case of
a sports channel, a similar portion (10%) of the time during an
important sports event. The principles for sharing this compensation between broadcasters, Multi Service Operators and local cable operators.
h) The principles to be followed for laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the cable operators / Multi Service Operators / Broadcasters and for ensuring the quality of service and conduct of periodic survey of such service provided by the Cable Operators / Multi Service Operators / Broadcasters so as to protect
the interests of the consumers of Broadcasting and Cable Services.
i) Measures to increase competition, promote efficiency and encourage wider consumer choice in the operation of Broadcasting and Cable services so as to serve consumer interests and to ensure the availability of services in rural and remote areas.
j) Measures for the development of Broadcasting and Cable services technology (including Direct-to-Home and Broadband) and any other matter relatable to this industry, in general.
k. Advertisements on TV channels
(i) the maximum advertising time to be permitted per half-an hour on free-to-air channels along with other conditions that are required to be imposed;
(ii) the further regulation of advertising on pay channels in reference to tariffs for the channels;
(iii) whether the restrictions at (i) & (ii) above should apply to both CAS and non-CAS areas uniformly or whether differential treatment is called for.
8.The note says that comments relating to broadcasters should include issues relevant also for authorised distributors and advertising sales agencies of pay satellite channels.
News Broadcasting
Zee Business corners 74.2 per cent market share on Budget Day, BARC data shows
Channel extends lead as investors tune in for policy decoding and markets
MUMBAI: Zee Business tightened its grip on India’s business news audience on Union Budget Day, commanding a 74.2 per cent market share during peak coverage hours, according to data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
The numbers, tracked between 0800 and 1000 hrs in north India among NCCS ABC males aged 22 and above, underscore the channel’s dominance as investors and traders tuned in for real-time policy decoding and market reaction. The share was calculated across two business news channels.
Industry executives say the spike mirrors an earnings-call-style verdict from viewers: speed, clarity and conviction won the day. Zee Business has retained its leadership beyond Budget Day, topping the charts on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, signalling sustained audience loyalty rather than a one-off surge.
The ratings momentum carried into Budget Samvad 2026, the channel’s flagship post-Budget discussion, broadcast live from the Bombay Stock Exchange. The session was moderated by Zee Business managing editor Anil Singhvi, and featured market veteran Ramesh Damani, among other participants.
Viewers were drawn to wall-to-wall Budget analysis, sharp market calls and plain-English interpretation of policy measures: an approach that continues to differentiate the channel in a crowded news market.
“The 74.2 per cent share reflects viewer trust in timely and credible market insight,” Singhvi said, adding that the post-Budget forum was designed to move beyond headlines and unpack the implications for investors and the broader economy.
