Trai plan to regulate internet TV triggers pushback from OTT, broadcaster groups

Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) move to examine whether internet-based television services should come under a formal regulatory framework has triggered pushback from digital industry groups and broadcasters, who warn that broad definitions could pull OTT platforms, social media video services and even news websites with video sections into a broadcast-style licensing framework, even though such services are currently governed under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, and do not require licences to operate.