Broadcasting Bill: States may oppose clause disallowing them cable TV ownership

The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 that prohibits state or central governments, and political parties, to be in the business of television broadcasting and cable distribution, is expected to face opposition from state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, among others that currently own such cable TV companies, according to people aware of the matter.

This is because these state governments believe that move is politically motivated. If the Bill becomes an Act, with this clause intact, will give powers to the Central government to broadcast its own content via Prasar Bharti that will continue to be in the business.