A high-level team of the All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) yesterday met Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi and discussed vital industry issues relating to the cable TV distribution sector.

In a LinkedIn post yesterday, the AIDCF said its members had the “opportunity to meet” Vaishnaw to “discuss pressing matters concerning the cable TV sector”.

“The discussions focused on ensuring a level playing field, addressing regulatory imbalances and identifying pathways for a sustainable future for the industry amid rapid digital transformation,” the post added, without divulging any further details.

The AIDCF team, amongst others, included the organisation’s president and CEO of DEN Networks SN Sharma, GTPL Hathway MD & CEO Anirudhsinh Jadeja, Fastway Transmissions CFO Sanjay Goyal, Asianet Satellite Communications Vice-Chairman Sankaranarayana Gopalan, Hathway Cable & Datacom CEO T Panesar and Lalit Sharma, from SITI Networks.

MIB Joint Secretary-Broadcasting Sanjiv Shankar, who is responsible for the broadcast and cable sector including coordinating sector-specific policy work, was also present at the meeting, chaired by Minister Vaishnaw.

Amongst issues that have been highlighted by the AIDCF earlier in public statements and submissions to various government organisations and broadcast regulator TRAI are the regulatory imbalance or non-level playing field between MSOs/LCO and other distribution platforms like DTH (both pay and free) and streaming services, apart from regulator’s tariff guidelines, which AIDCF has hinted favours broadcasters.

MIB presently is in the midst of work relating to overhauling of archaic and technologically outdated broadcast sector rules and policies, which will also encompass the cable TV distribution segment.

Last month, policy-makers part of an Indian parliamentary committee had suggested to the government to explore — and quickly so — a common body to oversee the print, broadcast and digital media for ease of governing the diverse industries.

In a report on March 23, The Hindustan Times had said that the parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology formally recommended that the MIB should consider creating a Media Council to bring different forms of media including print, broadcast and digital under one umbrella body for better coordination and implementation of governing laws. (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/parliamentary-panel-seeks-common-media-council-101742669710282.html)“AIDCF remains committed to collaborative engagements with policymakers to protect the interests of stakeholders and ensure affordable, high-quality services for consumers across India,” the industry body said in its LinkedIn post in conclusion, thanking the government for its continued support.