Industry flags regulatory blind spot as TRAI reviews FAST TV boom

NEW DELHI: India’s broadcast regulator has kicked off a fresh debate on the future of television, as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released a consultation paper proposing a regulatory framework for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television and app-based linear TV services.

The move follows a reference from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which has been weighing industry concerns around the rapid rise of FAST platforms. These services, typically preloaded on smart TVs or available via apps, stream linear channels for free, funded entirely by advertising, but operate outside the traditional licensing system.

At the heart of the issue is a growing mismatch between legacy broadcasters and new-age streaming platforms. While cable, DTH and IPTV operators function under strict regulatory oversight, FAST platforms have so far slipped through the cracks, raising questions around content accountability, consumer protection and fair competition.

The consultation paper lays out how FAST services bundle live television channels with on-demand content and deliver them across devices, from smart TVs to smartphones. It also identifies a complex ecosystem involving TV manufacturers, operating system providers, content aggregators and app developers, each playing a role in getting channels to viewers.

Industry responses submitted to the ministry reveal three dominant business models. In one, TV manufacturers run their own FAST platforms with preloaded apps and share ad revenues with content partners. In another, Indian distributors rely on overseas entities and third-party aggregators to deliver content, often distancing themselves from direct responsibility. A third model sees operating system providers acting as intermediaries, hosting channels via proprietary app stores with limited control over content.

Across these models, a common thread emerges: minimal regulation. Stakeholders noted that most platforms do not maintain content archives, rely on partner verification for compliance, and collect only anonymised viewer data. Grievance redressal mechanisms exist, but often route complaints across multiple entities, sometimes even overseas.

This regulatory grey zone has drawn sharp criticism from traditional distribution players. The All India Digital Cable Federation has argued that FAST services may be bypassing existing uplinking and downlinking norms, effectively distributing television channels without mandatory permissions. It has also flagged concerns over pay channels being offered free on such platforms, potentially undermining established revenue models.

TRAI itself has previously acknowledged the gap. In earlier recommendations, it noted that FAST services mimic traditional broadcasting functions without equivalent oversight, creating what it described as a regulatory imbalance that could tilt the market in favour of free streaming platforms.

The consultation also highlights the broader shift in viewing habits. With connected TV usage rising, internet-based viewing is fast catching up with traditional pay TV. Industry estimates suggest India now has over 100 million connected TV households, signalling a decisive move towards streaming-led consumption.

Against this backdrop, the regulator is now seeking stakeholder inputs on key issues, including defining ALTD services, setting authorisation norms, ensuring compliance with programme and advertising codes, and establishing consumer safeguards.

As television continues its pivot from satellite dishes to smart screens, the question is no longer whether FAST will grow, but how it will be governed. TRAI’s next steps could well determine whether the streaming boom plays by the same rules as the broadcast era, or rewrites them altogether.