Controversy over Union I & B ministry’s mandates for local cable channels

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Nov 02, 2023

Agartala, Nov 2 (FD) Allegations of irregularities and extortion in the cable television industry have been a long-standing concern. Local cable channel operators have often been accused of not providing receipts to subscribers for monthly payments, and there have been reports of tax evasion.

However, a recent directive from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is causing a stir in the industry.

In November 2022, the ministry issued a circular making it mandatory for small local channels run by multi-system operators (MSOs) to register with platform service (PS) channels. Failure to comply with this registration requirement would result in the closure of small local channels.

This directive has sparked protests from MSOs across the country, with concerns raised about the potential increase in production and infrastructure costs. In states like Tripura, where commercial advertisements are scarce, this rule could have a significant impact on the local cable channel industry, potentially forcing many to shut down.

West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has also voiced her concerns, accusing the central government of attempting to close down local cable TV channels and jeopardizing jobs. Representatives of the Multi-System Operators Association are in discussions with the Union Ministry of I & B to address these concerns. FD SB JK