TRAI pulls up broadcasters, distributors for misusing new tariff mechanism

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the apex regulator for the broadcast sector, has pulled up tv broadcasters and distributors for having misused the flexibility offered by the new tariff mechanism, by giving huge discounts on bouquets and preventing market discovery of individual channel prices.

“Analysis reveals that while new regulatory framework has brought transparency in TV channel pricing, harmonised business processes in the sector and reduced disputes among stakeholders, adequate choice to select TV channels has not been given to the consumers,” the regulator observed, releasing a consultation paper on the issues arising from the New Tariff Order (NTO).