Regulators
Distributor control shaping pricing and access in TV sector study
49 percent rely on DPOs, 84.7 percent oppose NCF on free channels.
MUMBAI: Who really holds the remote may not be the viewer after all. A study by the Esya Centre suggests that Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) are increasingly shaping pricing, content visibility and consumer choice in India’s broadcasting sector, acting as the primary gatekeepers between broadcasters and audiences. According to the findings, distributors control last-mile access, billing systems and channel interfaces giving them significant influence over which channels reach consumers and how they are packaged. Survey data shows that 49 percent of users rely on distributors to select channels, while 32.9 percent say availability depends on whether distributors choose to carry them.
This control is not incidental, it is built into the regulatory framework governed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). While broadcasters are required to supply channels, distributors retain discretion over carriage, placement and visibility. Conditional must-carry rules and capacity-linked provisions allow them to refuse or limit channel availability. Amendments preventing channels from being offered on both free and pay platforms further narrow alternative routes, tightening distributor control.
Despite these structural dynamics, television continues to hold strong consumer relevance. Around 70 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with TV quality, indicating that content itself remains compelling. The friction, however, lies elsewhere pricing and billing.
At the centre of dissatisfaction is the Network Capacity Fee (NCF), a fixed platform charge introduced at ₹130 for a base set of channels, with additional costs for higher slabs. Now determined by distributors following regulatory changes, the fee has become a flashpoint. Around 84.7 percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with paying for free-to-air channels through the NCF, while 94 percent said they do not consider the charge fair. About 68 percent admitted they do not understand how the fee is calculated, and 57 percent reported higher monthly spending under the current system. A striking 96 percent said they would be more satisfied if the fee were removed.
The report notes that such fixed charges can directly influence whether consumers remain in the market and, when perceived as unjustified, can reduce overall consumer welfare.
Based on responses from 2,037 households across 15 cities, the study also highlights a deeper behavioural shift. While consumers technically have the option to customise their channel packs, many rely on distributor-designed bundles instead. This creates a gap between formal choice and effective choice.
Menu design, default packs and channel placement controlled by distributors play a decisive role in shaping viewing habits. In practice, what appears to be consumer choice is often guided, if not determined, by distributor-led packaging.
The result is a system where the power to decide what gets watched may lie less with the viewer and more with the platform curating their screen.
Regulators
India Post & DTDC sign MoU to boost logistics reach across India
Partnership taps 1.64 lakh post offices to speed up e-commerce deliveries
NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at strengthening India’s fast-growing logistics and e-commerce ecosystem, the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has signed a memorandum of understanding with DTDC Express Limited to enhance parcel delivery capabilities across the country.
The agreement was formalised in New Delhi by Department of Posts general manager parcel directorate Neeraj Kumar Jha and DTDC Express Limited ceo Abhishek Chakraborty, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
At its core, the partnership looks to combine India Post’s extensive nationwide network with DTDC’s operational expertise in logistics. The collaboration will allow DTDC to tap into more than 1.64 lakh post offices, significantly widening its reach, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
The MoU builds on an existing association that began in 2025 and focuses on expanding joint logistics operations, sharing capacity, and aligning best practices across the parcel ecosystem. Both organisations will also coordinate marketing strategies and hold quarterly review meetings to track progress and identify new growth opportunities.
For DTDC, the tie-up offers scale and deeper market penetration, helping it meet rising demand driven by e-commerce. For India Post, the partnership is expected to strengthen its parcel business, improve delivery timelines, and reinforce its role in the country’s logistics value chain.
The inclusion of services such as cash on delivery is also set to make the collaboration more relevant for online sellers and consumers alike, especially in regions where digital payment adoption is still evolving.
As India pushes towards becoming a global logistics hub, this public-private partnership signals a practical step forward, blending legacy infrastructure with modern delivery capabilities to keep pace with the country’s e-commerce boom.
