1. TV(I) Section underthe Broadcasting Wing regulates the grant of permission for uplinking and downlinking of Satellite TV channels in India and renewal thereof in terms of the applicable policy guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of the satellite TV channels in India. The permission for setting-up the Teleport/ Teleport Hub, uplink facility by News Agency, use of SNG/DSNG/ ENG equipment, uplinking of foreign channels through Indian Teleport etc. are issued by the TV (I) Section. In order to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Compliance’, the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite TV Channels in India, 2022 have been issued in November 2022. These guidelines have a simplified and rationalized structure viz-a-viz the previous guidelines. To facilitate grant of various permissions, Ministry has launched a revamped version of the Broadcast Seva Portal (https://new.broadcastseva.gov.in) wherein applicants can apply online for grant of permission for the above services.

2. Broadcasting Wing (BC Wing) is the concerned wing for all matters related to regulation of content telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/re-transmitted through cable television network in terms of the Programme and Advertisement Codes prescribed in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed there under and private FM Radio channels and Community Radio Stations as per the GOPA guidelines and AIR Broadcast Code. Every broadcaster through various Policy Guidelines has been mandated to follow the Programme and Advertisement Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder.

3. The Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 have been amended vide Notification No.GSR 416(E) dated 17.06.2021 thereby providing for a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances/complaints of citizens relating to content broadcast by television channels. These rules are called the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The Rules provide that in order to ensure observance and adherence to the Programme Code and the Advertising Code by the broadcaster and to address the grievance or complaint, if any, relating thereto, there shall be a three-level structure (complaint redressal structure) as under: Level I - A self-regulation by broadcasters; Level II - Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the broadcasters; and Level III - Oversight mechanism by the Central Government.

4. The Government has also established Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) as state-of-the-art facility with a view to monitor and record the content of satellite TV channels with regard to violation of Programme and Advertisement Codes enshrined under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder. EMMC is equipped to monitor and record around 900 channels and currently monitors all permitted channels.

5. BP&L Section in Broadcasting Wing is concerned with policy matters related to administration of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules thereunder, The Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing With Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 and Rules thereunder, DTH Guidelines, HITS Guidelines, IPTV Guidelines and TRP Guidelines and miscellaneous policy issues pertaining to broadcasting sector.

6. Apart from dealing with framing of Guidelines for DTH, HITS, IPTV and TRP agency, the requests for grant of permission/licence/registration under these guidelines from applicants are processed in BP&L Division. The issues related to amendments in the policy/guidelines are undertaken by the BP&L Division.

7. The proposals to declare the sporting events/games of national importance under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007 are processed in the BP&L Division in consultation with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Law and Justice and Prasar Bharati and the sporting events/games which are identified as national importance are notified in the Gazette of India.

8. Further the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) gives its recommendations from time to time on Telecommunication and Broadcasting sectors on request from the Government or suo-motu. The recommendations given by TRAI in respect of Broadcasting sector are processed by BP&L Section and if required, arranges to convene meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) formed to examine such recommendations.

9. To provide efficient and transparent regime for the growth and management of Broadcasting Sector, an online portal “Broadcast Seva” has been developed and launched. The Broadcast Seva portal provides single point facilities to the various stakeholders and applicants for various permissions, registrations, licences etc. issued by MIB for broadcast related activities.