IN-SPACe Approval Delays May Disrupt Linear TV Broadcasting

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Over 100 TV channels, including Sony, Star, and Zee, face potential disruption if foreign satellite approvals are delayed by IN-SPACe.
• The government mandate requires foreign satellites to be IN-SPACe-approved by March 31 for linear TV broadcasting, while OTT content remains unaffected.
• Some foreign satellites, like Intelsat and OneWeb, are approved, while others, such as AsiaSat and ChinaSat, still await clearance.
• Delayed approvals could cause widespread disruptions, as switching satellites quickly is not feasible due to capacity limits.

On April 1, for TV viewers, the main happenings such as IPL could be missed if over 100 channels, including Sony, Star, and Zee, are in default at present. The actual state of affairs would depend on whether the foreign satellites are able to attract approval from the space regulator in India.

With the government instruction, only foreign satellites or constellations approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) until March 31 can offer space-based communication or broadcasting services in India. The decree governs linear TV broadcasting, while content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms will remain untouched.

Some foreign satellites, including Intelsat, OneWeb, IPStar, OrbitConnect, and Inmarsat, have received authorization, while others like AsiaSat, ApStar, ChinaSat, and Measat are still awaiting clearance.

The TV broadcasting industry hopes all pending approvals will be granted by the March-end deadline, or that the government will offer an extension to avoid disruptions. However, some industry players are concerned due to the ongoing geopolitical situation and certain satellite operators' connections to China.

Officials informed that applications from foreign satellites are still being reviewed. Additional clarity is anticipated by month-end after a meeting of the standing committee, which includes representatives from various ministries, such as Home Affairs and the Department of Space.

A Zee spokesperson stated that the company is in talks with IN-SPACe, and during discussions, the regulator indicated that approvals for various operators are expected by early March, pending a successful review of their filings.

Officials mentioned that many foreign satellites applied for approval recently, a process that usually takes about 120 days after all required details are submitted. However, some applications have been pending since September of last year.

Industry executives warned that if approvals are not granted on time, widespread disruptions could occur, as channels cannot quickly switch to alternative satellites, potentially forcing them off air. A second executive noted that moving to an Indian satellite isn't a viable option due to capacity limitations.