TRAI weighs FAST channels under India’s TV rules
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is considering whether Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels and other app-based linear TV services should be brought under a formal regulatory framework, initiating a debate between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms. This potential regulatory move could impact how these services operate in India.
Key Takeaways
- TRAI is weighing a formal regulatory framework for FAST channels in India.
- The review also covers other app-based linear TV services.
- Storyboard18 says the issue is triggering a sharp divide between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms.
- The post frames the debate as a fresh regulatory battle for the television industry.
Why It Matters
If TRAI moves ahead, FAST channels and app-based linear TV services in India could face rules that change how they operate. The immediate issue is regulatory scope: whether these services are treated more like traditional television or remain outside that framework. That matters across the streaming stack because FAST is part of the broader shift toward app-delivered linear video, while broadcasters are already pressing for the category to be defined. The next signal to watch is whether TRAI publishes a draft framework or consultation paper covering FAST and other app-based linear TV services.
Additional Context
The regulatory push comes as India's FAST revenue is projected to grow from $63.7 million in 2023 to $104.1 million by 2027, according to industry data cited by TRAI in April 2026. This growth is driven by a projected user base of nearly 149 million viewers, making India one of the largest revenue generators for FAST globally. The regulator specifically flagged concerns that traditional cable and DTH operators are losing ground to digital platforms that bypass strict downlinking guidelines and tariff regulations, per Economic Times reporting in June 2026. A central conflict involves the 2023 Telecommunications Act and the Information Technology (IT) Rules of 2021. Digital industry groups, such as the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), argued in June 2026 that broad ALTD definitions could inadvertently pull every OTT platform and social media service into a broadcast-style licensing framework. They contend that streaming is structurally different from traditional linear TV because it is delivered over the open internet rather than via licensed spectrum or physical cable infrastructure. Parallel to TRAI's efforts, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has been modernizing the broader media landscape through the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill. Per Indiatimes in March 2025, the MIB sought to replace the 30-year-old Cable Television Networks Act to include OTT and digital news. However, the sector has seen significant pushback; by January 2026, the bill remained in what industry observers called "regulatory purgatory" after concerns were raised regarding potential overreach and its impact on the creative freedom of independent digital creators.
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