Comply by Aug 15 or face consequences: MIB to 592 'Non-Compliant' MSOs

In a move to ensure strict adherence to broadcasting regulations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a directive to 592 "Non-Compliant" Multi-System Operators (MSOs) to get their status changed to “Compliant” by August 15, 2023. According to the Ministry, these MSOs had failed to meet key regulatory criteria, prompting the MIB to take action.

In an advisory, MIB said that failure to comply could result in consequences, including cancellation of their MSO registration.

“To ensure adherence to the terms and conditions of Multi-System Operators (MSO) Registration issued by this Ministry which inter alia mandates adherence to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules made thereunder and compliance to the regulations issued by Authority from time to time, a list of 'Non-Compliant' MSOs was published on Ministry's website i.e. www.mib.gov.in on March 23, 2023,” MIB stated in the advisory.

The MSOs were marked "Non-Compliant" as they had failed to comply with regulation 15(1) of the Interconnection Regulation, 2017 issued by TRAI which mandates that every distributor of television channels, once in a calendar year, shall cause the audit of its SMS, CAS and other related systems by an auditor to verify, that the monthly report made available by the distributor to the broadcasters are complete, true and correct, MIB stated.

These regulations also enable the broadcasters to get the system used by distributors of television channels audited, if they are not satisfied with the audit report.

In addition to the above, this Ministry in exercise of powers conferred under Rule 10A (1) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 had directed all MSOs to furnish information like number of subscribers, etc. However, when the MSO failed to provide the details sought by MIB, their status was marked as "Non Compliant", according to the Ministry.

Moreover, broadcasters were also advised to enter into fresh interconnection agreements only with "Compliant" MSOs and notify the MSOs under them who have been marked as "Non-Compliant" by this Ministry.

“Pursuant to this, broadcasters have issued communications to all "Non-Compliant" MSOs, having an interconnection agreement with them. However, it has been observed that despite being in operations and having executed interconnection agreements with broadcasters, MSOs listed in the schedule to this advisory continue to remain in violation of the terms and conditions of their registration. The majority of MSOs continue to remain "Non-Compliant" and in violation of the terms and conditions of their registrations and Interconnection Regulations, 2017 issued by TRAI,” MIB stated in the advisory.

“In view of the above, the "Non-Compliant" MSOs are hereby advised to furnish the requisite documents and get their status changed to "Compliant" latest by August 15, 2023, failing which, necessary action as deemed appropriate shall be initiated against them, including cancellation of registration as MSO,” it added.

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