Broadcasters flag surge in DTH signal piracy, seek mandatory tech safeguards to curb losses

Mumbai: India’s broadcast industry has flagged a surge in television signal piracy, alleging that legitimate domestic direct-to-home (DTH) connections are being duplicated or smuggled across borders to illegally redistribute pay TV feeds.

Broadcasters say smuggled DTH set-top boxes (STBs) are being used to beam Indian channels without authorisation in parts of the subcontinent and the Gulf region, eroding revenues at a time when both advertising and subscription income are under strain.