Trai may review plan to allow distributors to break bouquets

After years of resistance, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) appears to have softened its stance on allowing distribution platform operators (DPOs) such as Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV and GTPL Hathway to create their own retail-level channel bouquets by breaking broadcaster bouquets, said industry executives.

If implemented, the move would mark a shift from the current tariff framework, which requires distributors to offer broadcaster-defined bouquets. At present, 80-90% of television households in the country subscribe to DPO-curated packs rather than broadcaster bouquets.