TRAI ne internet-based linear TV channels ke liye naye licensing rules suggest kiye hain. Ab streaming platforms bhi telecom regulations ke under aa sakte hain, jisse compliance ka kharcha badh sakta hai.
Kya badalne wala hai?
TRAI ne Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) services ko lekar nayi recommendations di hain. Inka plan hai ki internet ke zariye chalne wale linear channels ko Telecommunications Act, 2023 ke under ek 'telecom service' mana jaye. Iska matlab hai ki streaming platforms ko ab waisa hi treat kiya jayega jaise traditional telecom operators ko kiya jata hai.
FAST Market aur Digital Platforms par asar
Free Ad-supported Streaming Television (FAST) ka market tezi se badh raha hai, jahan revenue ₹960 Crore tak pahunchne ka estimate hai 2027 tak. Abhi tak ye sector bina zyada regulations ke chal raha tha, par nayi policy aayi toh platforms ko India mein hi IT infrastructure aur user data store karna hoga. Yahan tak ki smart TV makers ko bhi unauthorized apps hatane ke liye bola ja sakta hai.
Legal aur Regulatory Challenges
Experts ka kehna hai ki internet-based content ko telecom service maanana Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ke saath conflict paida kar sakta hai. Iske alawa, news aur non-news channels ke beech ka fark constitutional sawal bhi utha sakta hai, kyunki internet par broadcast licensing ka logic traditional airwaves jitna valid nahi hai.
Investors ke liye kya hai monitorable?
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting abhi in suggestions ko review kar rahi hai. Investors ke liye sabse badi tension 'compliance cost' ki hai. Agar licensing fees aur data localization ke sakht rules aaye, toh choti streaming companies ke margins par kaafi dabav aa sakta hai. Dekhte hain ki kya government light-touch approach apnaati hai ya phir sakht telecom rules lagti hai.