News Delhi HC issues notice to DTH operators for value-added services

[NinadG]

The Delhi High Court on 24 December sought a response of the Centre (MIB) and six DTH operators on a PIL seeking to restrain direct-to-home (DTH) service providers from carrying any channel or value added service which are not registered with or permitted by the government.

The court passed the order on the plea of NGO Media Watch-India (MWI) which has alleged that DTH service providers carry self-promotion advertisements in violation of uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

It has also alleged in its petition, filed through advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, that value added services like 'movie on demand' or games are provided without specific licence from the ministry. The NGO has said that even the FM radio channels are being illegally provided and has sought orders restraining the DTH operators from providing these services.

The petition has contended that the ministry till date instead of taking action against these entities has been playing the role of a spectator while "statutory guidelines are being flouted with impunity by the private DTH operators".

- See more at: Delhi HC issues notice to DTH operators for value-added services - India's Leading Source for Broadcasting & Broadband Information - CableQuest Magazine

 

[DashMajor]

Which FM Radio channels are illegal, Govt. one or Active one ?

 

[IndianMascot]

Gaav basa nao lootere aa gaya.

Govt is already proposing to regulate such channel and content. So this PiL will act boost to it. I am sure sone MSO or Channel is behind this.

 

[NinadG]

Which FM Radio channels are illegal, Govt. one or Active one ?

I think AIR FM channels are difinitely legal but all those Active Channels are illegal......DTH must take license for those channels first.........

 

[IndianMascot]

Govt is already working on it and had issued a consultation paper on this.

 

[ChaiBiskutBhai]

With respect to FM channels, beaming a Delhi channel in Mumbai might technically be illegal. But then they can just call it a music service.

 

[aumnamonarayan]

This case will be squashed and nothing will happen. First these Cable Operators should answer why they flouting Cable and Satellite regulation by running banner and scroll ads on their channels which is not allowed as per rule. The reality is that DTH Companies run ads on Home Channels of different brands as there is no regulation on it similarly there is no regulation on Active Services right now. This is a stupid case filed i guess by some MSO taking help from NGO.

Regarding FM channels they r legal to carry bcoz even DD Free Dish is carrying AIR FM channels all over India.

What we might see are some regulation inplace for running ads on Home Channels, licensing of content for VOD too will come under some regulation but forst DTH ops would content the open floutation of rules by Cable operators. Ultimately either both will come under scrutiny or nothing will appen

 

[DashMajor]

I think here is the matter of Active Radio and VoD Radio just like DTH's are selling. Govt. Radio stations are allowed and mandatory to carry hence no action against them but suddenly case is filed because some DTH's are charging and making money from this Active Radio channels.

 

[THAKUR]

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has sought a response of the
Information and Broadcasting
Ministry and six direct-to-home
(DTH) operators on a public
interest litigation seeking to restrain
DTH service providers from carrying any channel or value added service (VAS) which are
not registered with or permitted by the government.

The court passed the order on the plea of Hyderabad-based
NGO Media Watch-India (MWI) which alleged that DTH service providers carry self-promotion advertisements in violation of uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

Listing the matter for 4 March next year, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice P S Teji issued notice to the Ministry as well as six DTH providers - Bharti Telemedia,
Tata Sky, Dish TV, Sun Direct TV, Reliance Big TV and
Bharat Business channel.

Counsel Gaurav Kumar Bansal said that value added services like 'movie on demand' or games are provided without specific licence from the Ministry.

The NGO has said that even FM radio channels are being illegally
provided and has sought orders restraining the DTH operators from providing these services. Indian Television Dot Com | Delhi HC wants to know if DTH players can run FM channels and VAS

 

[IndianMascot]

In that case even PM's Mann ki Baat will also be stopped being aired on DTH platforms