New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the list of news and non-news channels failed to comply with the 12-minute ad-cap rule imposed by the regulator. The report states that during the period of 27th June 2016 to 25th September 2016 as many as 127 channels failed to comply.
The ad-cap rule imposed by TRAI in 2013 restricts the television channels from airing advertisements for more than 12 minutes per hour (10 minutes of commercial advertisements and two minutes of self-promotions by the channel). The order was challenged by broadcasters and is currently sub-judice in the Delhi high court.
According to a list available on the website of TRAI, 104 pay non-news channels and 23 pay news channels, on an average, carried more than 12 minutes of advertisements per hour between 7pm and 10pm during the three months ending 25 September 2016.
During 28th March 2016 to 26th June 2016, the regulator had recorded 137 defaulting channels that include 112 pay non-news channels and 25 pay news channels.
B4U Television Network India Ltd-owned movie channel B4U Movies aired the maximum advertisements for 25.79 minutes per hour, followed by Sun TV Network Ltd-owned channels including Sun TV, Udaya Movies, Gemini TV and Sun Life.
About 25 non-news channels including Sony Pictures Networks -owned Sony Pal and Sony Entertainment channel, Star India-owned Star Plus and Movies OK carried advertisements for more than 15 minutes per hour, according to the regulator.
Among the non-news channels, IBN Lokmat News Private Limited-owned IBN Lokmat topped the list and aired 18.64 minutes per hour of ads, followed by five Eenadu television channels (ETV UP, ETV Rajasthan, ETV Bihar, ETV Bangla and ETV Urdu).
The regulator is not in a position to take any action against the erring channels due to the pendency of the case before the Delhi high court. The matter is due for hearing in Delhi high court on 20th April 2017.
