IBDF joins legal battle over streaming of TV channels on Prasar Bharati’s WAVES platform

MUMBAI: The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has intervened in the ongoing legal fight before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) over the streaming of private television channels on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, WAVES, in a petition filed by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF).

According to sources, IBDF is expected to oppose AIDCF’s demand to stop WAVES from carrying live television channels.

The dispute centres on whether OTT platforms can stream live television channels using infrastructure traditionally reserved for cable and DTH operators, and whether WAVES is sourcing those channels through satellite-based distribution systems or internet-based networks.


IBDF sources said the petition filed by AIDCF sought directions to stop WAVES from carrying live linear television channels. However, according to sources, several AIDCF member companies, which are multi system operators (MSOs), themselves run OTT apps that stream the same channels.

AIDCF has argued that broadcasters are not permitted to distribute channels to live streaming apps through satellite decoder boxes, which are currently allowed only for licensed distribution platforms such as cable, DTH, IPTV and HITS operators.

During an earlier hearing, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati argued that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) does not have jurisdiction over over the top (OTT) content and, therefore, TDSAT may not have the authority to hear the petition. The argument has intensified the regulatory debate around internet delivered television services.

The dispute also revives an earlier tussle between broadcasters and TRAI over the regulation of internet delivered television services. In 2021, TRAI sought details from broadcasters including Star, Sony and Sun TV on how live linear television channels were being streamed on their OTT platforms. Broadcasters challenged the move, arguing that OTT services fall outside the purview of the TRAI Act and are governed under the IT Rules framework instead.

The matter is listed for hearing before TDSAT on May 12.

AIDCF approached TDSAT on March 17, arguing that OTT platforms are operating in a “legal and regulatory void” and monetising content distribution without complying with obligations applicable to traditional television distribution operators.

The federation argued that under Clause 11(3)(f) of the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines, 2022, broadcasters are permitted to provide channel reception decoders only to four recognised categories of distribution platform operators: MSOs, direct to home (DTH) operators, headend in the sky (HITS) operators and IPTV operators. OTT platforms are not recognised under the framework, it contended.

According to AIDCF, broadcasters supplying decoders or satellite signals to WAVES would violate the conditions attached to their downlinking permissions. The federation further alleged that Prasar Bharati, by inviting broadcasters to place channels on WAVES, was effectively facilitating a breach of the guidelines.

The dispute dates back to August 2024, when Prasar Bharati invited broadcasters to place their channels on its proposed OTT platform. AIDCF subsequently wrote to the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), urging it to direct broadcasters to provide satellite TV channels only to licensed operators such as MSOs, DTH, IPTV and HITS platforms.

Broadcasters, however, have argued that Prasar Bharati does not fall under TRAI restrictions or the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act in the same manner as private distribution operators, allowing it to offer channels on WAVES.

In March, minister of state for information and broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan informed the Lok Sabha that WAVES, launched in November 2024, had crossed 84 lakh registered users. The platform streams television and radio channels, films, web series, live events, educational programming and cultural content.