TRAI recommends new approach to set radio ads, programme code

New Delhi The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended that radio broadcasters be allowed to concurrently broadcast the same content online to create a new revenue stream for the sector and suggested that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prescribe a Programme Code and These recommendations were a part of the regulator’s recommendations on “Framework for Service Authorisations for provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023” released on Friday. In its recommendations, TRAI noted that “OTT”, that is, over-the-top is an “overarching term” that includes both OTT communication services and OTT application services including media services. TRAI recommended that Free Ad-supported Streaming Television channels such as Yupp TV, Vodafone Play, Tata Play should be brought within the authorisation framework through a separate authorisation under TV Channel Distribution Services as they currently stream TV channels without regulation, leading to “regulatory arbitrage”. TRAI has also proposed that for internet service providers who want to provide internet protocol television services, the ₹100 crore minimum net worth requirement should be removed.