Ministry of information and broadcasting releases draft rules to ‘consolidate’ broadcasting sector

Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) on Friday released draft rules to bring television, radio broadcasting, direct-to-home (DTH), headend-in-the-sky (HITS), and internet protocol television (IPTV) services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The proposed Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, seeks to consolidate guidelines governing television channels, DTH, HITS, FM radio, community radio and IPTV services that were earlier administered under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Multi-system operators (MSOs) will continue to be governed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The draft proposes authorisations for television, radio and associated services under the Telecommunications Act, while the MIB will continue to administer provisions relating to television, radio and associated services.