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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Indian broadcasters staring at crores in unpaid license fees from Nepal, Bangladesh
TV broadcasters in India are due hundreds of crores in overdue license fee payments from distributors in Nepal and Bangladesh, a problem that has been getting worse over the last year, two executives with knowledge of the payment issues told The Hindu. The problem has been particularly acute in Bangladesh, where after the ouster of former President Sheikh Hasina, TV distributors have stopped paying Indian broadcasters the fees they are due for transmitting their channels. Many Indian channels are popular in Nepal and Bangladesh, so much so that broadcasters give distributors in that country a 'clean feed,' a stripped-down live broadcast without Indian ads. In Nepal, which has had issues in the last few years of withheld payments to telecom companies like Airtel, the dues exceeded ₹100 crore in the last few weeks. Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is due to visit India in September, and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Kathmandu on Sunday for a two day official trip. Bangladeshi broadcasters also owe over ₹250 crore, one executive said. The Nepalese embassy and the High Commission of Bangladesh did not respond to queries by The Hindu. The Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to a query on the dues. In Airtel's case in 2023, the telecom company cut off its link to Nepal briefly, before turning it back on in a few hours, underlining the stakes if payments didn't come through. One executive speaking to The Hindu said that the major Indian broadcasters are hesitating to do the same, as broadcasters in both countries could simply pirate an Indian retail feed, ending any hope of recovering due license fees, and posing enormous challenges in reentering the market. In Nepal, Indian channels have been facing issues with the government since April 2023, when the country's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) gave every broadcaster just two days to implement an 'à la carte' pricing system, practically identical to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's New Tariff Order. Unlike the NTO regime, which was implemented — with much resistance — after several months of consultations, the notice given was so short that Indian broadcasters only came to know of the requirement days after the deadline. In Bangladesh, Beximcom, the country's largest conglomerate with over $1 billion in assets, has not received remittance clearance from the Bank of Bangladesh to pay Indian broadcasters, and the political situation in the country has left diplomats and politicians with little interest to deal with the commercial concerns of broadcasters, one executive said.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TRAI chief calls for balanced broadcast regulation amid industry divide
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said the regulator has to walk a fine line, as it faces conflicting demands from both the top and bottom ends of the broadcasting sector regarding the extent of regulatory intervention required. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India's Rafale-M deal may turn up the heat on Pakistan China's support for Pakistan may be all talk, no action India brings grounded choppers back in action amid LoC tensions Speaking during a keynote address on Thursday at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), Lahoti said those at the top of the industry, such as major broadcasters and distributors, seek greater freedom and less regulation. In contrast, those at the bottom—like local cable operators and consumers—often call for increased regulatory oversight, he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sufipur – Rediscover clear hearing with these tiny but powerful hearing aids. Learn More Undo 'So, we face conflicting demands from different stakeholders and need to find a balanced approach,' he said, noting that TRAI has been deregulating where necessary while ensuring consumer protection. He also said TRAI has initiated a pre-consultation process for a comprehensive review of the New Tariff Order (NTO) and its various iterations over the years, which have drawn criticism from stakeholders across the broadcasting value chain for inflating TV bills and rendering linear TV uncompetitive compared to streaming platforms. Live Events ET had earlier reported that TRAI has held separate discussions with TV broadcasters and distribution platform operators (DPOs) to collect inputs for the upcoming consultation exercise. During the pre-consultation phase, stakeholders highlighted to TRAI the regulatory disparity between linear TV and streaming platforms. Lahoti also pointed to overlapping jurisdictions between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which oversees digital media, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), responsible for news and curated content. This, he said, creates inconsistencies in regulatory principles and enforcement between digital and linear TV—an issue that merits attention. Lahoti also referred to the draft Broadcast Bill proposed by the MIB, which includes potential regulation of OTT platforms. The bill is under consultation, and future decisions are expected to offer more clarity, he said. The content distribution landscape is rapidly evolving—from cable TV, direct-to-home (DTH), headend-in-the-sky (HITS), and internet protocol television (IPTV) to digital streaming. While linear TV adheres to strict Programme and Advertising guidelines, OTT platforms follow self-regulation, creating a regulatory gap between the two mediums. Stakeholders have also pointed out to TRAI that Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST), which is gaining traction in India, remains unregulated. 'Are we treating linear and digital TV equally in regulatory terms? Linear TV evolved under a structured, regulated framework that has been periodically updated and liberalised. In contrast, digital broadcasting remains lightly regulated—or not at all—in some areas,' Lahoti observed. This disparity, he said, raises two key concerns. First, content regulation: cable TV is bound by government-mandated programming and advertising codes, while digital platforms are largely self-regulated and not strictly subject to these rules. Concerns over digital content have even prompted the Supreme Court to issue a notice in a public interest litigation seeking regulation of streaming content. Second, fairness in regulation. Lahoti said regulatory disadvantages should not be created for one medium over another. While technological advantages are acceptable, regulatory imbalances are not. He also pointed out that consumer protection mechanisms vary while cable TV regulations ensure fair pricing and service, such safeguards are minimal or inconsistent in the digital space. In conclusion, Lahoti said TRAI aims for minimal regulation that promotes industry growth and innovation while safeguarding consumer interests. 'We must strike a balance that supports innovation, protects vulnerable stakeholders, and provides the best possible experience for consumers,' he added.
