After SC defers TRAI hearing, Zee announces tariff in line with TRAI order

After the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on TRAI's Interconnect Regulation and Tariff order to September 5, 2018, ZEEL announced the maximum retail price for television channels, in line with the tariff order, the deadline for which is August 31.

Some of the MSOs including DEN Networks have also complied with the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) Interconnect Regulation and Tariff order.

In line with the Tariff order, Zee has announced “multiple bouquets catering to consumers of different languages across India. All Zee channels will be available on a-la-carte basis, as required by the Regulations,” the channel said in a statement.

“Consumers will also have the option to choose from specifically created bouquets for Hindi speaking markets (HSM) and different regional language markets (Marathi, Bangla, Odiya, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam),” further read the statement.

So far, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) is the only broadcaster which has announced the new prices in compliance with the TRAI’s tariff order. Some other broadcasters are also expected to come up with new prices before the August 31 deadline.
On 3 July 2018, TRAI had implemented the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017, after it was upheld by the Madras High Court with an exception.
While bringing the Interconnection Regulation 2017, the QoS Regulation 2017 and the Tariff Order 2017 into effect, the TRAI also prescribed timelines for the stakeholders.
  
Here’s the timeline beginning from July 3, 2018:

1. The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) Addressable Systems Tariff Order, 2017: Declaration of MRP and nature of Channels by Broadcasters within 60 days; Declaration of Network Capacity fee and Distribution Retail Price (DRP) by Distributors (DPO) within 180 days, Reporting by Broadcasters within 120 days.

2. The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017: Publication of Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) by Broadcasters within 60 days, Publication of Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) by Distributors within 60 days; Signing of the interconnection agreements within 150 days.

3. The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Standards of Quality of Service and Consumer Protection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017: Migration of the subscribers to the new framework within 180 days; Establishment of Customer Care Centre, Website, Consumer Care Channel and Publication of Manual of Practice within 120 days.
When announcing the new regulations, TRAI in a statement said, “The Authority is of the view that implementation of the new regulatory framework will bring in transparency, enable provisioning of affordable broadcasting and cable TV services for the consumer at the same time, would lead to an orderly growth of the sector.” 
Meanwhile, Tata Sky, has also filed a case in the Delhi High Court in the matter, which will be heard on September 6.