Cable Operators, without even understanding what is OTT and how does it work? were very concerned that it is un-regulated. They were voicing requirement for creation of Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India without legislation of Broadcasting Bill. They considered themselves as broadcasters while Cable TV is NOT accorded status of Broadcast. The guide lines have addressed Video News coverage more than any thing else as DIGITAL MEDIA. News in Print Media was regulated by Press Council of India. Cinematograph was under Censor Board for content code regulation. Cable operators were worrying about PAY content in real time Broadcast considered available by them as FREE on OTT not understanding that on OTT it is server based time deferred VoD delivered over internet (as TELCO service) charged for data volume by ISP/TELCO and subscription by OTT Service Provider.. They also don’t seem to understand that content is to conform to program code by content manufacturer; NOT by intermediary service provider. Further punitive action can only be taken if OTT service provider is operating from India. So what is new for content, other than news, for time deferred already broadcasted video content ? It is labelling for viewing as U, U/A 7+, 13+, 16+ and A. This is for applying parental control , which may not be possible on unit-directional CATV networks. In a nutshell, content transportation and origination trail control remains with DoT and Digital Media control remains with MIB for content delivered from India and Complaint redressal mechanism being introduced specifically.

(The views expressed in the article are those of the writer and indianbroadcastingworld.com need not necessarily subscribe those views)