T V channels should telecast content in National/Public Interest; Cabinet approves guidelines for satellite Television channels

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the “Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India, 2022”. The consolidated Guidelines shall ease 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 (DSNG)/ Satellite News Gathering (SNG)/ Electronic News Gathering (ENG) systems, uplinking by Indian News agencies and temporary uplinking of a live event.

New Guidelines ease compliance for Television Channels. No prior Permission for Live Telecast of Events.
Indian Teleports may uplink Foreign Channels. Obligation to telecast content in National/Public Interest

The main advantages of the revised guidelines are-ease of compliance for the permission holder, requirement for seeking permission for live telecast of events has been done away with; only prior registration of events to be telecast live would be necessary.
No requirement of prior permission for change of language or conversion of mode of transmission from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) or vice versa; only prior intimation would be required.

In case of emergency, for a company/ LLP with only two Directors/ Partners, a Director/ Partner can be changed, subject to security clearance post such appointment, to enable business decision making;
A company/LLP can use News gathering equipments other than DSNG, such as optic fiber, Bag back, mobile, etc.  for which no separate permission would be necessary.
Benefits include; Ease of Doing Business,Specific timelines have been proposed for grant for permission;
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities can also seek permission;
LLPs / companies would be allowed to uplink foreign channels from Indian teleports which would create employment opportunities and make India a Teleport-hub for other countries.
A news agency can get permission for a 5 year period as against one year at present;
A channel can be uplinked by using facilities of more than one teleport/ satellite as against only one teleport/satellite at present; It has broadened the possibility of allowing transfer of TV Channel/Teleport to a company / LLP as permissible under the Companies Act/ Limited Liability Act.