AIDCF moves TDSAT against Prasar Bharati’s move to onboard TV channels on WAVES

The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), challenging Prasar Bharati’s move to onboard linear satellite television channels on its OTT platform, WAVES.

In its petition, AIDCF has raised concerns over what it describes as a regulatory gap governing OTT platforms, arguing that such services are operating without the oversight applicable to traditional distribution platforms while continuing to generate revenue.

At the heart of the dispute is Prasar Bharati’s recent notice inviting applications from broadcasters for the onboarding of linear satellite TV channels on WAVES. AIDCF contends that this move is in direct conflict with the existing policy framework under the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines, 2022.

According to Clause 11(3)(f) of the guidelines, broadcasters granted permission to downlink channels are required to provide channel reception decoders exclusively to four categories of Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs): multi-system operators (MSOs), DTH operators, HITS operators, and IPTV providers. OTT platforms, AIDCF argues, are not recognised within this framework.

The federation has submitted that onboarding linear channels on an OTT platform such as WAVES would effectively require broadcasters to supply signal decoders to an entity not permitted under the guidelines. This, it claims, would amount to a violation of a core condition tied to their downlinking permissions.

AIDCF has further alleged that Prasar Bharati’s move could indirectly encourage broadcasters to breach regulatory norms. “Inviting broadcasters to onboard linear channels on an OTT platform creates a situation where compliance with existing guidelines is compromised,” the petition argues.

The development comes at a time when tensions between traditional distribution platforms and OTT services are intensifying, particularly around issues of regulatory parity, revenue models, and content distribution rights. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly flagged concerns over what they see as an uneven playing field, with OTT platforms not subject to the same licensing, carriage fee structures, or compliance requirements as cable and DTH operators.

The case is expected to test the interpretation of broadcast distribution rules in the context of evolving digital platforms, and could have wider implications for how linear television content is delivered over the internet in India.

TDSAT is yet to set a date for hearing in the matter.