New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has today released a Consultation paper on Issues related to Placing of Television Channel on Landing Page.
Having received large number of complaints regarding the placement of Television Channel Landing Page, TRAI has released consultation paper today.In industry parlance, the landing channel or the landing page refers to the Logical Channel Number (LCN) which is displayed first when the Set Top Box (STB) is switched on.
The consultation paper, has been issued with the aim to protect the interest of the consumers, to ensure fair growth of the sector, and to ensure unbiased TRP ratings raises various issues related to placement of television channels on landing page.
As per the practice, this channel is available for display on all the STBs connected to the network of a distributor. Such channels may be available to all customers irrespective of the choice and whether it is Pay or Free to Air channel. TRAI has been reported that, in order to influence TRP ratings of few channels, some distributors, in collusion with broadcasters, are placing television channels on landing page.However it is also argued that channel available at landing page is not normal choice of customer and therefore it may not be allowed to have an impact on the ratings of the channel.
In an attempt to put an end to this issue, through a direction on 8th November, 2017, the Authority directed all the broadcasters and distributors of television channels to restrain from placing any registered satellite television channel, whose TV rating is released by TV rating agency, on the landing LCN or landing channel or boot up screen.
However, the above direction was challenged by some stakeholders in the Hon’ble Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). Though the direction is not operative, as per interim orders, the primary ground of the said dispute was transparency.Hon’ble TDSAT agreed to re-consider its decision as per TRAI’s request.Hence this consultation paper is being issued.
The consultation paper provides an opportunity to all the stakeholders to deliberate on the issues and to provide comments and suggestions in this regard
Consultation paper is accessible on TRAI website www.trai.gov.in. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 20th April 2018.
