MIB warns broadcasters not to provide signals to illegal DTH operators

The warning comes after receiving complaints about certain DTH operators beaming into India Free-to-Air TV Channels without obtaining due license/registration/authorisation

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 24, 2015

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has warned all registered broadcasters that in no case Satellite TV channel signal reception decoders or access to their signals should be provided to any MSO/Cable Operators, DTH Operators, IPTV service provider and HITS operator who is not registered/permitted by the Ministry.

The notice issued by the ministry stated, “It has come to the notice of this Ministry that certain DTH operators are beaming into India Free-to-Air TV Channels without obtaining due license/registration/authorisation in any manner from this Ministry. These FTA TV channels, it is learnt, are permitted TV channels. However, Broadcasters appear to have allowed their signals to be used by such unauthorised operators. Clause 5.6 of the Article 5 of Downlinking guidelines issued by the Ministry stipulates that all the Broadcasters (Channels) shall provide Satellite TV channel signal reception decoders only to MSOs/Cable Operators registered under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 or to a DTH operator registered under the DTH guidelines issued by Government of Indian or to an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Service Provider duly permitted under their existing Telecom License or authorised by Department of Telecommunications or to a HITS operator duly permitted under the policy guidelines for HITS operators issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India to provide such service.”

“It is re-iterated that compliance of the above clause should be strictly adhered to by all registered Broadcasters (channels) and in no case Satellite TV channel signal reception decoders or access to their signals per se be provided to any MSO/Cable Operators, DTH Operators, IPTV service provider and HITS operator who is not registered/permitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Non-adherence to the laid down stipulation is liable for stern action from this Ministry in case corrective action by broadcasters is not taken immediately,” said the statement.

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