News Broadcasting
TRAI issues an amendment to the Interconnection Regulation for Broadcasting & Cable Services
The TRAI today issued a Regulation to amend the Interconnection Regulation dated 10.12.2004. The Interconnection Regulation covers arrangements among service providers for interconnection and revenue share, for all broadcasting and cable services in India. With the experience of more than one and a half years after issue of the Interconnection Regulation a need was felt to clarify as well as expand the scope of the same so as to minimize the doubts and disputes/ litigation.
The Authority followed its consultative approach for amendment of the interconnection regulation by issuing a Consultation Note on March 21, 2006, a Consultation Paper on May 11, 2006 and holding Open House Discussions in Mumbai on June 16, 2006 and in Delhi on June 19, 2006. After taking into consideration the comments received on the consultation paper as well as the comments made during the course of the Open House Discussions, the Regulation has been amended by the TRAI.
The main amendments made in the Interconnection Regulation dated 10.12.2004 are:
1. A notice period of three weeks has been prescribed for disconnection of TV channel signals by a broadcaster to any distributor of TV channels. The requirement of issue of a three week notice has also been extended to the distributors of TV channels prior to disconnection of the re-transmission o fany TV channel.
2. Issue of public notice through newspapers has been made compulsory prior to disconnection of TV channel signals. Broadcaster/multi system operator/ distributor of TV channels are required to inform the consumers through scrolls on the concerned channel(s), but issue of notice in newspapers shall be compulsory.
3. It has been mandated that the broadcaster/multi system operator or their agents/ intermediaries to whom a request for providing TV channel signals is made, should either provide the signals on mutually agreed terms, or specify the terms and conditions on which they are willing to provide TV channel signals, within sixty days from the date of the request.
4. Methodology to arrive at the subscriber base of each distributor of TV channels at the time of first agreement, during the validity of agreement and at the time of renewal of agreement has also been laid down for agreements between the broadcasters and multi system operators and between multi system operators and cable operators.
5. The Authority has prescribed that all broadcasters shall publish their Reference Interconnect Offers (RIO) describing, inter-alia, the technical and commercial conditions for interconnection for non-addressable systems and submit copies of the same to the Authority. The reference interconnect offer so published by the broadcaster will form the basis for all interconnection agreements to be executed thereafter.
6. Broadcasters will be required to give one months notice for conversion of Free To Air Channels to Pay channels and vice versa.
7. Parties to an interconnection agreement for supply of TV channel signals
will be required to renew their interconnection agreements within three months of the expiry of the original agreement.
8. Issue of invoices by broadcasters /multi system operators or their agents/ intermediaries has been made compulsory for payment received from any distributor of TV channels for providing TV channel signals. The monthly invoice shall clearly specify the arrears and current dues along with the due date for payment of the same.
For more details, please visit “www.trai.gov.in”.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
