Advanced Television

India’s permitted channels fall

December 6, 2013

By Chris Forrester

The number of licensed channels in India has dropped for the second year running as the regulator cracks down on operations which have been authorised but not started broadcasting.

A total of 64 licences have been revoked from last year’s 2012 official list of 848 channels, leaving 784 licensed to broadcast.

India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has written to a number of would-be broadcasters demanding detailed extra information as to the channel’s financial status and shareholding structure, and as a result of non-responses – or unexpected responses – has reversed some of the licences. Other reasons for cancelling licences include not getting on air within the stipulated 12 months.

Indiantelevision.com reports that 50 channels are now awaiting licensing.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Policy, Regulation