Even though the Supreme Court has refused to stay TRAI’s new tariff order (NTO 2.0), broadcasters are unlikely to implement it till the court’s final order.
Abhishek Malhotra, managing partner, TMT Law Practice, said broadcasters will not file fresh reference interconnect offers (RIOs) and will wait till the next hearing on September 7. The deadline for filing the new tariff with TRAI was August 12.
“The Supreme Court has recognized that this is an important matter and needs to be heard. Broadcasters must file a RIO. However, the non-coercion order continues, and the court has not dismissed the interim applications. So broadcasters will wait for a while before filing a new RIO.
A senior member of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) agreed. “As of now, we have not yet discussed the matter with broadcasters, however, we will not be filing RIO yet,” the member said.
‘Heavily contested’
The new tariff order, which mandates an MRP of ₹12 per channel, which was earlier lower than ₹19, has drawn strong opposition from broadcasters.
Earlier, the Bombay High Court had upheld the provisions of the new Tariff Order (NTO 2.0).
Read also: Broadcasters won’t miss August 12 deadline on new tariff order
Shreya Suri, Partner (Tech & Advisory), Induslaw, said, “The Bombay High Court judgment was a very rational order. If broadcasters comply and file RIO as the case may be, Trai can use it to uphold NTO 2.0. can be used as an argument for as it has already been complied with.
Vivaan Sharan, an economist covering the media and entertainment industry, said, “It is my sincere hope that the Supreme Court will not leave the door open to the public interest on the pretext of state encroachment on press freedom in television. issued that they are aware of the implications of this matter for the freedom of expression in the nation.”
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