By A Correspondent
With the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) dismissing the pleas of broadcasters against the TRAI ruling on the 10+2 minutes ad cap given the Supreme Court ruling that it (the TDSAT) cannot hear cases challenging TRAI regulations, the News Broadcaster Association and music channels are reported to getting set to approach the High Court on the issue.
Although an NBA member we spoke with wouldn’t come on record, the decision on approaching the High Court had been taken immediately after the Supreme Court decision as the TDSAT decision of dismissal was imminent.
However, given that the TRAI’s 10+2 regulation is in force, there is an urgency to file petitions in the High Court. News and music channels believe that the ad curtailment regulation will drive them out of business, and while they are in broad agreement of bringing down the ad duration, they believe 10+2 minutes is unachievable.