Tuesday, August 28, 2012

TRAI tweaks advertising norms

TRAI, in its latest amendment to the proposed regulations on duration of ads on TV channels, has relaxed a few rules while it has made some adverse changes as well. In a reprieve to broadcasters, particularly movie channels, the regulator has deleted the prior regulation which mandated a minimum gap of 15 minutes between two ad sessions (earlier mandate of 30 minutes gap for movie channels). However, compared to the earlier draft, TRAI has hardened its stance on sports broadcasters in particular by stipulating that they stick to the 12 minutes cap as well.

All broadcasters will have to submit details of ads carried to TRAI on a quarterly basis from January 2013. Comments from stakeholders on amended regulations will be accepted till September 11. Though we believe that eventually these regulations will be exercised in some form, their timing is ambiguous.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

TRAI gets Cracking on digitisati​on

TRAI extended the deadline for signing inter-connect agreements between MSOs and broadcasters from July 31 to August 21. Most MSOs and broadcasters had missed the earlier agreement deadline, which determines the price at which content will be shared by broadcasters with MSOs. Since the regulator has permitted carriage fees to be charged by MSOs from broadcasters, alongwith subscription deals, carriage fee deals also need to be negotiated. Hence, inking of inter-connect agreements has been delayed. In a recent meeting with stakeholders, TRAI expressed its displeasure and reiterated that the digitisation bill has been passed by the Parliament and has to be confirmed to.

TRAI has adopted a strict stance and warned that if the August 21 deadline is not met, the regulator will intervene and set a statutory price itself. TRAI has agreed to ensure that a panel and other penalty clauses are in place in case of any defaulters. In another positive development, which indicates the seriousness of broadcasters, the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) has also advised its members to stick to the revised August 21 deadline.