Trai likely to adjust cable TV rules for clearer business picture

Lahoti added that Trai, in its recent review of the regulations in 2024 for cable TV, critically examined whether certain regulations were truly needed in the industry

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is “reviewing and critically examining” the regulatory framework governing the cable television (TV) industry (also known as linear TV) to enhance ease of doing business.

 

Anil Lahoti, chairman of Trai, said on the sidelines of the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) that there is a wide “regulatory disparity” between different broadcasting platforms — namely, linear TV and over-the-top (OTT) services. This follows Trai’s regulatory review in 2024 aimed at giving the cable TV sector “requisite freedom while protecting consumer interests and safeguarding smaller players in the value chain”.

 

“While we welcome technological