Zee Entertainment asked TRAI to regulate free streaming TV services with the same rules as DTH and cable. This directly opposes JioStar and Culver Max, who argue these platforms are application-layer OTT services. The move forces TRAI to define "linear television" in the digital age, impacting every ad-supported streaming player.
How We Got Here
TRAI began its consultation on Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) and Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) services in March 2024. Zee's submission reflects an industry-wide concern from legacy broadcasters facing viewership and ad revenue migration to digital.
The Numbers
- Zee defines ALTD services as distributing linear TV channels via apps/web, separate from general OTT services.
- The broadcaster argues regulation should follow service nature, not delivery technology, citing "continuous and real-time transmission" as a linear channel's defining feature.
- Zee proposed application providers obtain formal authorisation and be held accountable for content quality, anti-piracy, and consumer protection.
- The company highlighted regulatory arbitrage, noting DTH and cable operators already comply with Programme/Advertising Codes and tariff regulations.
- JioStar and Culver Max had earlier submitted that FAST and ALTD services operate as open internet application-layer OTTs.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For founders building free ad-supported streaming apps from Chennai or Pune, new licensing requirements could add months to launch timelines and double initial compliance budgets.
The Take
Zee is playing the content control card. Broadcast-style regulations mean applying traditional censorship and content codes to digital platforms, which directly impacts a founder's ability to innovate and deliver diverse, often edgier, regional content.
Source:
MediaNama ↗