Revised Guideline 2022 for TV Channels Uplinking and Downlinking

 The Government has introduced the revised guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India. In a press conference in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra said, the new guidelines will ensure ease of compliance for permit holders of TV channel and promote ease of doing business by simplification of rules and procedures. He said, a new provision has been added in the new guidelines to encourage to channels to broadcast content related to public service and national interests including agriculture, women empowerment and education.

Now you are free telecast your content on any multi-media platform without any prior permission and even live telecast events without any prior permission. the Government is focusing on promoting small-content creator who look for opportunity online. According to new guide lines the channels will be encouraged to broadcast such shows which shows relation to public service and for the interest of country and society including agriculture, women empowerment, technology, various science and education.

Revised guidelines banner image (Hanuman STUDIES)

In the report published on news on air:
"In the revised guidelines, the requirement for seeking permission for live telecasts of events has been now removed or done away with. Now only the prior registration of events to be telecast live would be necessary. In a major decision to promote ease of doing business, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities can also seek permission for TV channels.

LLP and companies would be allowed to uplink foreign channels from Indian teleports which would create employment opportunities and make the country a teleport hub for other countries.

Specific timelines have been proposed for grant for permission. A news agency can get permission for a five years period as against one year at present. One composite set of Guidelines has replaced two separate Guidelines. The Structure of the Guidelines has been systematized to avoid duplication and common parameters. The penalty clauses have been rationalized and separate nature of penalties have been proposed for different type of contraventions as against uniform penalty at present."

Few important highlights of Revised Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India 2022

• New Guidelines ease compliance for Television Channels
• No prior permission for Live Telecast of Events
• indian Teleports may uplink Foreign Channels
• Obligation to telecast content in National/Public Interest

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The main advantages emerged from the Revised Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India 2022

(i) Ease of compliance forr the permission holder

1. Requirement for seeking permission for live telecast of events has been done away with, only prior registration of events to be telecast live would be necessary.
2. No requirement of prior permission for change of language or conversion of mode of transmission from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) or vice-versa, only prior intimation would be required.
3. In case of emergency, for a company/LLP with only two Directors/Partners, a Director/Partner can be changed, subject to security clearance post such appointment, to enable business decision making.
4. A company/LLP can use News gathering equipments other than DSNG, such a s optic fiber, Bag pack, mobile, etc. for which no separate permission would be necessary.

(ii) Ease of Doing Business

1. Specific timelines have been proposed for grant permission.
2. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities can also seek permission
3. LLPs/Companies would be allowed to uplink foreign channels from Indian teleports which would create employment opportunities and make India a Teleport-hub for other countries.
4. A news agency can get permission for a 5 year period as against one year at present.
5. A channel can be uplinked by using facilities of more than one teleport/satellite as against only one telepost/satellite at present.
6. It has broadened the possibility of allowing transfer of TV Channel/Teleport to a company/LLP as permissible under the Companies Act/Limited Liability Act.

(iii) Simplification and Rationalization

1. One composite set of Guidelines has replaced two separate Guidelines.
2. Structure of the Guidelines has been systematized to avoid duplication and common parameters.
3. The penalty clauses have been rationalized and separate nature of panalties have been proposed for different types of contraventions as against uniform penalty at present.

(iv) Other Highlights

1. The companies/LLPs having permission to uplink and downlink a channel may undertake public service broadcasting (except where it may not be feasible) for a minimum period of 30 mins in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance.
2. The TV Channels uplinking in frequency band other than C band are mandatorily required to encrypt their signals.
3. Net worth requirement for Companies/LLPs holding permissions to be as per the Guideliines at the time of renewals.
4. Provision of Security Deposits to ensure payment of dues.

Report Source: PIB and News on Air