TDSAT allows Manoranjan channels to retain LCNs for Rs 45 lakh

MUMBAI: A change of genre need not mean a change of address on the television dial. The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has allowed Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing Pvt Ltd to retain the existing logical channel numbers (LCNs) for two of its television channels while shifting them from the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) category to Hindi kids, subject to a payment of Rs 45 lakh plus GST to Prasar Bharati.

In its order dated 15 October 2026, the tribunal directed Prasar Bharati to permit the genre change without altering the channels’ existing numbers within one week of Creative Channel depositing the total amount for both channels. The arrangement offers the broadcaster a route to reposition the channels without losing their established places in the channel line-up, while attaching a financial condition to that continuity.

The dispute centres on the relationship between a channel’s genre classification and its position on the television platform. For viewers, a logical channel number is often the easiest way to find a familiar channel. For broadcasters, retaining that number while changing a channel’s category can help preserve continuity as programming strategies evolve.

Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing operates the Manoranjan network, which includes free-to-air, non-news television channels such as Manoranjan Grand and Manoranjan Movies. The company is part of India’s private satellite television market, where channel positioning and genre classification are important aspects of distribution.

During the proceedings, counsel for Creative Channel informed the tribunal, on the company’s instructions, that it was willing to pay Rs 45 lakh plus GST in total for the two channels in exchange for retaining their existing LCNs despite the genre change.

Prasar Bharati’s counsel told the tribunal that the public broadcaster was agreeable to the arrangement. This allowed the tribunal to record a limited agreement between the parties on the immediate issue of changing the channels’ genre while preserving their existing channel numbers.

The order provides for the channels to move from Bucket A+ to Bucket B, with their existing LCNs retained. The change must be implemented within one week after the payment for both channels has been deposited.

The payment condition is central to the arrangement. TDSAT did not direct an unconditional retention of the channel numbers; rather, it tied Prasar Bharati’s permission to the broadcaster meeting the agreed financial requirement. The order also does not indicate that the Rs 45 lakh plus GST is a general tariff for other broadcasters seeking similar changes.

Importantly, the tribunal has not closed the door on the wider dispute. It clarified that the arrangement resolves only the immediate issue covered by the agreement and does not settle all the other matters raised by Creative Channel in its broadcasting petition. Those issues have been kept open for future consideration, depending on the facts of the case and the law applicable at the time.

TDSAT disposed of Broadcasting Petition 75 of 2026 in view of the limited agreement reached between the parties. It also disposed of two miscellaneous applications connected with the proceedings.

The order was passed by a bench comprising TDSAT Chairperson Justice D N Patel and member Dr Sanjeev Banzal.

For Creative Channel, the ruling provides a conditional way to change the positioning of two channels within the Hindi kids genre without changing their existing numbers. For Prasar Bharati, the arrangement comes with the agreed payment requirement. The broader legal issues raised in the petition, however, remain unresolved.

The decision is therefore a narrow resolution rather than a final ruling on every aspect of the dispute. The immediate question of genre change and LCN retention has been addressed through the parties’ agreement, while any wider questions will have to await further consideration.