The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the draft tariff order for non-addressable cable TV systems. The draft has been released in pursuance of the order by the Supreme Court on September 17, 2014. With the release, TRAI has asked the industry stakeholders and the public to submit their written views or comments on the draft order by December 14, 2014.

According to the draft document, the broadcasters should be mandated to offer all their channels on a-la-carte basis though they are also free to offer service bouquets. Further, it adds that the revenue share between the broadcasters and operators should be decided on mutual negotiations. The draft has favoured the continuation of the existing mechanism to regulate wholesale tariff. It also suggests that the rates of new pay channels and channels converted from free to air to pay should be specified by the broadcasters according to the existing similarity principle.