One feed, ₹200 crore saved: Why broadcasters want to end HD-SD uplink duplication

India’s television broadcasters may be transmitting the same programme twice before it reaches viewers — once in high definition (HD) and again in standard definition (SD). The industry estimates that allowing a single HD master feed, from which authorised distribution platform operators (DPOs) can generate SD signals at their headends, could save the broadcasting sector around ₹200 crore.

The proposed change could reduce transmission costs, release satellite capacity and improve resource utilisation. Broadcasters argue that maintaining separate feeds for different resolutions creates avoidable duplication in infrastructure and operating expenditure, even when the programming and advertisements are substantially identical.

The debate also raises questions about whether broadcast regulations have kept pace with technology and whether separate authorisations for different resolutions remain necessary.

Why transmit the same channel twice?

Under the existing arrangement, broadcasters maintain separate HD and SD transmission feeds. This involves additional satellite capacity, uplinking infrastructure and recurring operating expenditure. The cumulative burden can be significant for networks operating large portfolios of regional and language channels.

The industry’s central argument is that if an authorised DPO can receive an HD signal and generate an SD version for subscribers who need it, a separate SD uplink should not always be necessary.

“Broadcasters should not have to maintain two transmission pipelines for the same programming merely because subscribers receive it in different resolutions. Where the technology permits reliable conversion at the distribution platform’s end, the regulatory framework should allow it,” said an industry executive familiar with broadcast transmission costs.

According to experts, the proposed ₹200 crore saving is an industry estimate. A broadcaster pays around Rs 10 lakh every month per channel for transmitting the SD channel.

How a single HD feed could work

Under the proposed model, broadcasters would transmit one HD master feed. Authorised DPOs would receive it at their headends, distribute the HD signal to compatible subscribers and convert it into SD for viewers using standard-definition services.

This would shift format conversion closer to distribution and eliminate duplicate uplinks where technically and commercially feasible.

“The industry should distinguish between the signal a broadcaster originates and the format in which a distribution platform delivers it to subscribers. A common HD master can potentially serve both requirements, provided conversion is technically sound and contractually authorised,” said another industry executive.

The arrangement would not eliminate all SD distribution costs. DPOs would require suitable equipment and processing capabilities, while technical quality, legacy infrastructure and existing contracts could necessitate separate feeds in some cases.

What happens to satellite capacity?

Satellite capacity is finite. Discontinuing redundant SD uplinks could free up capacity for other services, subject to technical, contractual and regulatory considerations.

Broadcasters also expect more efficient satellite usage to reduce expenditure on foreign satellite operators. However, the actual savings would depend on existing contracts, pricing arrangements and whether broadcasters can relinquish the capacity they no longer need.

The ₹200 crore figure is therefore a potential industry-wide saving cited by proponents, not a guaranteed reduction in satellite payments or confirmed foreign-exchange savings.

Industry stakeholders also argue that better utilisation of transmission resources could support the growing requirements of telecommunications networks, including future 5G expansion and 6G services. Any direct spectrum benefit, however, would depend on separate technical and regulatory decisions.

Is India an outlier?

Broadcasters indicate that they have not identified another jurisdiction that generally mandates separate uplinks for HD, SD or 4K versions of the same channel.

A comprehensive review of international regulations would be needed to establish whether India’s requirements are unusual. Broadcasters elsewhere may maintain multiple feeds for commercial or technical reasons, but the industry's contention is that separate uplinks should not be compulsory when a technically viable alternative exists.

The broader policy question is whether regulation should focus on the authorised channel and its distribution rights rather than treating every resolution as a separate transmission requirement.

One authorisation for multiple versions

Broadcasters also want a single authorisation to cover HD and SD versions of the same channel, with similar flexibility potentially extending to language variants.

A common authorisation could reduce administrative duplication and simplify compliance for networks managing large channel portfolios. Regulators would still need to identify authorised services, permitted versions and the parties responsible for transmission and distribution.

The proposal is not to eliminate regulatory oversight, but to avoid unnecessary duplication in permissions and transmission arrangements to enable ease of doing business for broadcasters and overall industry growth. 

The TRAI tariff-regulation question

Another consideration is how the proposed arrangement would interact with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s tariff regulations.

The industry wants both HD and SD channels to be distributed through integrated receiver decoders (IRDs) at the DPO level. Broadcaster-provided IRDs could establish an authorised technical arrangement for receiving and processing signals.

The precise implications for TRAI’s tariff framework would need to be assessed against the applicable provisions and the implementation mechanism.

Broadcasters want control over conversion

While a single-feed model could reduce costs, broadcasters are concerned that allowing DPOs to convert HD signals into SD should not give them unrestricted rights to modify or redistribute those signals.

The proposed safeguards include prior written broadcaster approval, clear interconnection agreements and broadcaster-provided IRDs. These would define the scope of conversion, technical requirements and permitted distribution, while protecting against unauthorised use.

“Giving DPOs the ability to generate an SD version cannot mean giving them an unrestricted right to manipulate or redistribute a broadcaster's signal. There must be written consent, a clear interconnection agreement and safeguards that preserve the broadcaster's control over its content and transmission,” said a third industry executive.

The framework would also need to establish responsibility for signal security, quality standards and technical failures.

Broadcasters want the choice of transmission mode to remain with them. Networks should be able to adopt a single HD master feed where it makes commercial and technical sense, while retaining separate feeds where necessary. This would prevent a cost-saving measure from becoming a one-size-fits-all mandate.

The bigger picture

The proposal seeks to preserve HD and SD viewing options while removing the need to duplicate satellite transmission by default.

The estimated ₹200 crore saving, improved satellite capacity utilisation and potential reduction in foreign satellite expenditure make the case economically significant. But the benefits will depend on the evidence supporting the cost estimates and a framework that addresses technical feasibility, TRAI tariff requirements, authorisations and broadcaster consent.

For policymakers, the choice is whether to continue requiring separate feeds for the same programming or allow a single master signal to serve different viewing needs, with safeguards that preserve broadcasters’ control over their content and distribution.