Section 83 in Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable Systems) Tariff Order, 2017
83. The flexibility of packaging of channels at retail level is presently given to distributors of television channels. However, it is primarily being influenced by the broadcasters. The entry level bouquets are formed by distributors of television channels with both FTA and pay channels. Such formation of bouquets and restricted availability of a-la-carte channels due to higher prices has worked against the interest of the subscribers. Further, subscribers are not able to choose channels according to their choice. Here it is important that one of the primary objectives of digitalization is to serve the subscriber interest better, giving them better quality signals and more choice of the channels at a reasonable price. In view of above, the Authority has decided that subscribers should have freedom to choose the channels, both FTA and pay channels or combination of pay channels and FTA, of their choice other than mandatory channels of Prasar Bharti.
