Television broadcasters to move court against TRAI

Mumbai: Indian television broadcasters are set to take the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to court over frequent changes and using incorrect methodology in its amended tariff order, said people with knowledge of the matter. They are likely to do so under the banner of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and may also file their own petitions in various high courts, seeking a stay on the amendments.

Trai issued the amendments to its tariff order – which take effect on March 1 on January 1. It limited the discounting on TV channels bouquets to 33%, while also reducing the maximum retail price (MRP) of channels in those bouquets to Rs 12 from Rs 19. Broadcasters argue that Trai’s contention that so-called a la carte prices are illusory because of the bouquet discounts has no sound basis.