MIB bans telecast of Hope TV for 30 days for violating downlinking guidelines

Hope TV, a Christian devotional channel distributed by Noida Software Technology Park Ltd (NSTPL), has been prohibited from telecast for a period of 30 days – from June 9, 2021 to July 8, 2021. This order has been given by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for violation of the extant Policy Guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of Private Satellite TV Channels in India, 2011.

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NSTPL had received permission from the MIB for downlinking Hope TV on November 11, 2009 under the policy guidelines for downlinking, 2005. The permission was further renewed up to November 10, 2024 under the policy guidelines, 2011.

The MIB had issued a show cause notice to NSTPL dated August 27, 2020 regarding unauthorised logo ‘Hope Channel India’ (instead of Hope Channel). However, the company failed to furnish its reply to this show cause notice.

In another letter, dated December 24, 2020, the MIB had asked NSTPL to furnish evidence for exclusive marketing/ rights of Hope TV for India. The company was also asked to deposit annual permission fee for only downlinking Hope TV for the period December 22, 2020 to December 21, 2021. The company has failed to furnish its reply to this letter as well.

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Hence, MIB has stated that NSTPL has violated Clauses 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 5.13 of the Policy Guidelines for Downlinking of TV Channels.

The MIB has directed NSTPL to remove the unauthorised logo and pay outstanding dues of Rs 15 lakh as annual permission fee under intimation to the MIB and submit Bharat Kosh receipts.