Overview
- TRAI’s draft Seventh Amendment would align mandatory audits to the April–March financial year with reports due to broadcasters by September 30.
- Only BECIL or TRAI‑empanelled auditors may conduct audits after certifying independence, with 30 days’ advance notice to broadcasters and limited on‑site verification by their representatives.
- Distribution platform operators with 30,000 or fewer subscribers could opt out of the annual audit, though broadcasters may still commission audits of such operators at their own expense.
- Shared‑system users must keep SMS/CAS/DRM data separated for each distributor and apply required watermarks, with on‑screen security limited to no more than two logos.
- Dispute steps include 30 days for broadcaster objections and 30 days for auditor replies, options for TRAI‑permitted special audits, and broadcaster‑commissioned audits to be completed within four months if the September 30 deadline is missed.