TRAI's new draft: TV channel rules will change from 2026, learn about the major changes related to audit and transparency..

If you watch TV or use cable/DTH services, this news is very important for you. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new regulations for the broadcasting and cable distribution industry, which will bring about major changes in the way TV channels are viewed and their services are operated. These regulations are expected to come into effect on April 1, 2026.

What is the new draft?
TRAI has released a new draft (proposed regulations) of the "Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2025." This simply means that TRAI wants the relationship between TV channel broadcasters (such as Star, Zee, Sony) and cable/DTH distributors (such as Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, local cable operators) to be more clean and transparent.

TRAI previously issued a 'Consultation Paper' on August 9, 2024, seeking public and corporate feedback on these regulations. Based on that feedback, these new draft regulations have been formulated.

Suggestions from the Public
TRAI has sought suggestions and comments from the public and industry on these proposed regulations. You can submit your feedback until October 6, 2025. You can send these suggestions to TRAI Advisor (B&CS) Dr. Deepali Sharma and Joint Advisor (B&CS) Sapna Sharma via email.
 

What will be the major changes?
These new rules primarily focus on three things.

Audit Rules: Audits, which were previously conducted based on the calendar year (January to December), will now be conducted based on the financial year (April to March). This could make it easier for distributors to manage their accounts.

Compliance: More stringent and clear guidelines have been provided for broadcasters and distributors to comply with these rules.

Infrastructure Sharing: Some changes have also been made to the rules for sharing equipment (such as cable networks, headends) used to deliver TV channels to the public.

These changes will strengthen the relationship between broadcasters and distributors and improve the way TV channels are delivered to the public.

Increased Transparency and Accountability
1. Sharing of Audit Reports Every Year:
Now, distributors will be required to share their audit reports with all broadcasters by September 30th of every year. These audits must be conducted by an auditor approved by TRAI or certified by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL). This will determine the number of subscribers the distributor serves and whether the broadcaster is receiving its fair share.

2. Advance Audit Schedule Information:
To increase transparency, the distributor must inform the broadcaster at least 30 days in advance of the audit and the auditor who will conduct it. This will ensure that the broadcaster can monitor the audit process.

3. Accurate Subscriber Information:
The new draft also strengthens broadcaster oversight to ensure accurate subscriber reporting. Often, distributors underreport subscribers, resulting in reduced revenue for the broadcaster. These regulations will help prevent such fraud.

Penalties for non-compliance
Distributors that fail to complete their audits by the September 30th deadline may face fines. However, TRAI's draft proposes to further clarify this deadline to avoid future disputes.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.