TRAI extended the deadline for signing inter-connect agreements between MSOs and broadcasters from July 31 to August 21. Most MSOs and broadcasters had missed the earlier agreement deadline, which determines the price at which content will be shared by broadcasters with MSOs. Since the regulator has permitted carriage fees to be charged by MSOs from broadcasters, alongwith subscription deals, carriage fee deals also need to be negotiated. Hence, inking of inter-connect agreements has been delayed. In a recent meeting with stakeholders, TRAI expressed its displeasure and reiterated that the digitisation bill has been passed by the Parliament and has to be confirmed to.
TRAI has adopted a strict stance and warned that if the August 21 deadline is not met, the regulator will intervene and set a statutory price itself. TRAI has agreed to ensure that a panel and other penalty clauses are in place in case of any defaulters. In another positive development, which indicates the seriousness of broadcasters, the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) has also advised its members to stick to the revised August 21 deadline.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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