TV channels uplinking in frequencies other than C-Band need to encrypt their signals

The Union Cabinet today approved the guideline for uplinking and downlinking of television channels in India, 2022. The consolidated guidelines are aimed at easing issue of permissions to the companies/ LLPs registered in India for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels, setting up of teleports/ teleport hubs, use of digital satellite news gathering, satellite news gathering, electronic news gathering systems, uplinking by Indian news agencies and temporary uplinking of a live event.

One of the key highlights of the guidelines is that the TV channels uplinking in frequency band other than C-Band are mandatorily required to encrypt their signals.

It may be recalled that the government had earlier barred 10 Zee Media channels from uplinking in KU band unencrypted.

The proposed guidelines are aimed at achieving the following objectives:

Ease of compliance for permission holder:

No requirement for seeking prior permission for live telecast of events; only pre-registration of events would be necessary.
No requirement of prior permission for change of language or conversion from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) or vice versa.
For a company with only two directors, a director can be appointed, subject to security clearance post such appointment, to enable business decision making
A company can use news gathering equipment other than DSNG, such as optic fibre, Bag back, mobile, etc., for which no separate permission would be necessary.

Ease of Doing Business:

Specific timelines have been proposed for grant of permission
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities can also seek permission
A News Agency can get permission for a period of 5 years instead of 1 year
A channel can be uplinked by using facilities of more than one teleport/ satellite, as against only one teleport/ satellite
Removal of certain restrictions for transfer of a channel from one entity to another
A teleport operator can uplink a foreign channel for being downlinked outside India, enabling earning of foreign exchange for the operator

Simplification and rationalisation:

One composite set of guidelines, instead of two separate guidelines
Structure of the guidelines has been systematised to avoid duplication, and common parameters, including financial requirements, etc., have been placed in Appendices
The penalty clauses have been rationalised and separate nature of penalties have been proposed for different types of contraventions as against uniform penalty at present