Trai may regulate Netflix, Hotstar, Prime
NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is evaluating a consultation process to regulate online video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar, two people familiar with the development said.
The regulator has received multiple requests from industry stakeholders to develop a (pricing and economic) framework for the video streaming platforms and may add a separate section on such platforms in the soon-to-bereleased consultation paper for over-the-top (OTT) platforms (like Skype, Whatsapp and Viber), said one of the two people mentioned above, on the condition of anonymity.
“The stakeholders have expressed concern that certain broadcasters are airing same content through internet channels as through direct-to-home (DTH) platforms and cable operators. Trai is examining the issue. It will most likely be a part of the OTT consultation, if a decision to consult is reached,” said this person. The primary issue, the person added, is that certain broadcasters are airing content on their video streaming platforms for free, while the same content is chargeable on DTH and cable networks. Anil Malhotra, chief operating officer at Zee Group-owned cable company Siti Networks Ltd, confirmed that industry stakeholders have requested Trai to introduce a regulatory framework for such platforms. “OTT (video streaming) must be regulated. It is just another form of IPTV. On the basis of just a few differentiations, one cannot say that OTT is outside the purview of regulation and no law of land should apply to it,” he said.
Internet protocol television or IPTV is primarily involved in broadcasting real-time television content and is also required to take licence/permission or register with the information and broadcasting ministry before providing TV broadcasting services to the subscribers.
Online video streaming sector in India is currently dominated by global players Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, television broadcasters-owned OTT platforms Hotstar, VOOT and SONYLIV and independent videoon-demand service providers like Yupptv, Hooq and Spuul.
Star India-owned Hotstar had the highest number of monthly active subscribers (between January and September 2017), followed by Jio TV and Jio Cinema, according to data from app analytics firm App Annie Inc.