കേരളത്തിൽ ചില കേബിൾ ടിവി ചാനലുകൾ കിട്ടുന്നില്ല | Cable Operators Agree to Sign New Agreements, Broadcasters Resume Connection | 10 Points to Know

 

1) The standoff between broadcasters and local cable/multi-system operators over the New Tariff Order (NTO) has ended and connection of channels to nearly 4.5 million homes was restored on Friday after the latter decided to sign fresh agreements, said industry sources.

2) Members of All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has decided to sign the fresh Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO) "without any prejudice" to their challenge to Trai regulation and new tariff order, he added.

3) Local cable/multi-system operators have already challenged the Trai regulation before the Kerala High Court.

4) Earlier, three leading broadcasters, Disney Star, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and Sony Pictures Networks India Ltd, had already stopped providing feed to cable operators which have not signed fresh agreements with increased prices under the New Tariff Order (NTO) 3.0.

5) The NTO had come into force in February 2023.

6) Earlier, the broadcasters had issued notices on February 15 to cable operators/multi-system operators to sign the new RIO for New Tariff Order. However, members of AIDCF declined to sign, following which the broadcaster disconnected their signals.

7) Both the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and AIDCF had exchanged barbs over the issue.

8) IBDF in a statement on Sunday had charged AIDCF members of making "inaccurate remarks regarding the new price regime" and invoking "consumer sentiment".

9) AIDCF, the apex body of digital cable television players, hit back, alleging that broadcasters have "significantly increased their channel prices and bouquet prices by approximately 18-35 percent" which will definitely affect the consumer price. 

10) The multi-system operators (MSOs), represented by the AIDCF and the Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd, have contended in their plea that TRAI's amended interconnect regulations and tariff order of November last year were "arbitrary" and "take away from the consumer their choice and autonomy". They have also claimed that TRAI has 'failed' to regulate the pricing of television channels or cap their prices. AIDCF is India's apex body for Digital Multi System Operators (MSOs) and its members include Asianet Satellite Communications, Hathway Cable and Den Networks, according to the petition. "An analysis of the packs announced after the impugned 2022 tariff amendment which are yet to be implemented or passed onto consumers demonstrates that consumers will need to pay between 20-40 per cent higher prices on regularly subscribed channels," the petition has claimed- PTI Reported

Keywords: New Tariff Order, All India Digital Cable Federation, Kerala Cable TV, TRAI, Disney Star, Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Sony Pictures Networks India, Asianet Satellite Communications, Hathway Cable and Den Networks, Kerala Cable Cunnection Cut, No Asianet Channel in Cable TV