Strict Downlinking Norms For Foreign Channels

Recently after laying down the necessary framework for uplinking by Indian channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has further notified new, stricter guidelines for downlinking by foreign channels with a view of gaining control over the content being broadcasted from satellite TV channels uplinked outside India. After a hard learnt lesson from the row that arose between Ten Sports Channel and Doordarshan a few years ago, the MIB has finally given approval to control and regulate the presence of foreign channels in India. Existing foreign channels like BBC, CNN, ESPN, etc have been allowed 6 months time to make the necessary changes to comply with the new guidelines. The policy intends to give Indian competitors the much-needed level playing on the regulation, taxation and legal front by bringing foreign channels within the ambit of Indian laws and regulation. Every foreign channel must act in accordance with the following guidelines: -