India’s Rs 60,000-crore television broadcasting industry is facing a new set of challenges as traditional TV continues to lose customers to OTT platforms, while broadcasters and distribution platform operators seek greater commercial flexibility in a shrinking market, according to a report in The Economic Times today.

The industry is currently awaiting key decisions from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on issues including tariff forbearance, renewal of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) licence, regulation of application-based linear television distribution (ALTD) services and rationalisation of licence fees.

The regulatory uncertainty, according to the ET report, is affecting major broadcasters such as JioStar, Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures Networks India, along with distribution platform operators including Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV and GTPL Hathway.

Industry bodies such as the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) and DTH operators have urged TRAI to consider regulatory forbearance while maintaining a level playing field.

Broadcasters and distribution platform operators are seeking greater flexibility in pricing, packaging and other commercial arrangements.

A television broadcast official cited by ET said that while OTT platforms and DD Free Dish do not face similar regulation, the traditional broadcasting sector continues to be closely regulated even as it declines year after year.

The pressure on the industry is also visible in the shrinking pay-DTH subscriber base, ET reported.

DPOs are also seeking regulatory parity with streaming services that distribute linear television content, including free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platforms.