National Broadcasting Policy 2024: Relief for OTT Platforms like Netflix and Prime Video

New Delhi:

OTT platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar may soon receive significant relief from the Indian government.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) aimed at promoting OTT platforms in the country.

This move includes the formulation of the National Broadcasting Policy 2024, which is expected to offer various benefits to OTT services.

TRAI’s Recommendations to Promote OTT Platforms

Currently, OTT platforms operate outside the purview of traditional licensing and regulation frameworks.

Encouraging the growth and development of the broadcasting sector with a focus on new and emerging technologies.

TRAI’s recommendations aim to change this by promoting these platforms and positioning India as a global content hub. Key recommendations include:

• Developing a 10-year roadmap for the broadcasting sector.
• Making India a hub for TV channel uplinking.

Read more below.

Steps Taken Towards National Broadcasting Policy

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested TRAI’s recommendations on these issues last year. Here is a summary of the steps taken so far:

1. Request for Recommendations: On July 13, 2023, the MIB sought TRAI’s input.
2. Pre-Consultation Paper: Issued on September 21, 2023, identifying necessary issues for policy formation.
3. Consultation Paper: Released on April 27, 2024, inviting stakeholder opinions on 20 key questions.
4. Stakeholder Consultation: Conducted in May 2024 to gather comprehensive feedback.

Final Recommendations: Submitted to the MIB based on extensive consultations.

Potential Impact on the Indian Economy

The broadcasting sector has immense potential to boost the Indian economy. The proposed National Broadcasting Policy aims to define the vision, mission, objectives, and strategies for the planned growth of the sector.

By providing a structured framework and regulatory clarity, the policy intends to foster an environment conducive to innovation and expansion in the broadcasting and OTT segments.