Daily content pertaining to "National Interest" now subject to updated regulations for broadcast channels within a 30-minute span.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India has announced a significant revision to its television guidelines, which were initially released in 2005 and revised in 2011. The latest update, after an 11-year gap, aims to accommodate technical advancements.

One of the key changes is the relaxation for television networks from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. These networks will now be able to uplink from India instead of Singapore, offering a more direct and potentially cost-effective route.

Another notable development is the elimination of the need for prior authorization for adjustments in language or conversion of mode of transmission from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) or vice versa. Channels will only need to notify the ministry concerning these changes.

The guidelines also approve consent for an information company for a five-year period instead of one year currently, providing more stability for the industry.

Television broadcasters are now required to transmit half an hour of public interest content every day on topics including education, literacy, farming, country development, health, household welfare, science and technology, women's welfare, welfare of weaker sections, environmental protection, cultural heritage, and national integration. However, the government will not provide any programs for television channels to transmit under public interest content; channels are free to develop their own content on the specified topics.

The new guidelines also allow limited liability collaborations and businesses to uplink foreign networks from Indian teleports. In addition, television channels can use information celebration equipment other than Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG), such as optic fibre, backpack, mobile, without separate authorization.

Notably, the need for prior registration of events to be telecast live remains necessary. In case of emergency, for a company/LLP with just two Directors/Partners, changes can be made subject to security clearance, such as a visit, to enable business decision making.

Television channels uplinking in frequency band besides C-band are mandated to encrypt their signals. The need for seeking permission for real-time newscast of events has been eliminated, but prior registration of events to be telecast live would be necessary. The guidelines do not mention any changes in this regard.

Currently, only 30 networks are uplinked from India out of the total 897 registered with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The new guidelines are expected to encourage more networks to uplink from India, offering a more diverse range of content to Indian audiences.

In summary, the revised guidelines aim to facilitate technical advancements, encourage diversity, and provide more flexibility for the television industry in India.

Daily content pertaining to "National Interest" now subject to updated regulations for broadcast channels within a 30-minute span.