Overview
- TRAI has formally sent the ministry recommendations to treat free, ad‑supported linear TV apps as a regulated service that needs government authorisation similar to cable and DTH.
- Under the proposal an application provider would need a national authorisation under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 valid for 20 years with a ₹1 lakh entry fee and a modest processing fee.
- Internet‑only non‑news channels would have to register with the ministry and pay ₹1 lakh per year while news and current‑affairs channels would remain subject to stricter ministry permission on public order and security grounds.
- Foreign streaming companies would have to operate through Indian entities and TV makers and operating‑system providers would be required to disable apps not on a ministry‑maintained authorised list, which could remove some preinstalled lesser‑known apps from devices.
- The recommendations are not binding until the ministry accepts and notifies rules; TRAI says it will address pricing, carriage and service‑quality rules after the licensing framework is finalised and it proposes named Indian grievance officers and inclusion of FAST viewing in TV ratings, which could shift advertising and measurement practices.