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TRAI hearing turns into FAST TV showdown as legacy cable and streaming firms clash over new rules
Business
Published on 14 May 2026
Cable and DTH want ALTD treated like licensed platforms
India’s legacy cable and DTH operators are pushing TRAI to regulate FAST and ALTD internet-delivered linear television like traditional pay TV, arguing these services bypass licensing, tariffs, interconnection, and content obligations. The consultation follows a Ministry request in December 2025 amid fears of unregulated TV-like channels. Cable and DTH back mandatory carriage, sports signal-sharing with Prasar Bharati, and platform-neutral pricing. Meanwhile, tech and internet players oppose telecom-style or broadcasting regulation, calling it uneven for registered platforms.
- TRAI is reviewing FAST and ALTD regulation after a December 2025 government request
- Legacy cable and DTH firms argue internet linear TV avoids licensing and interconnection duties
- Bharti Telemedia backs forbearance but wants same content same rules if legacy stays regulated
- AIDCF claims FAST may breach uplinking and downlinking norms and raise security concerns
- Traditional stakeholders push mandatory carriage, Prasar Bharati sports signal-sharing, and platform-neutral pricing
- Internet and technology companies oppose bringing FAST ALTD under legacy broadcasting or telecom-style rules
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times