Rules barrier to Indian TV channels keen on entering US

Many Indian broadcasters have complained to the information and broadcasting ministry about the difficulties in starting operations in the US.

Many Indian broadcasters have complained to the information and broadcasting ministry about the difficulties in starting operations in the US.

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"Indian broadcasters have been representing to the ministry about many trade barriers being faced by them in starting broadcasting operation in the US because of the present US regulations," CM Jatua, minister of state in the I&B ministry told the Lok Sabha in response to a question.

"There is a lot of subjectivity in interpretation of various provisions while granting permissions/clearances, that the terms and conditions imposed by the dominant operators for carriage of content of foreign broadcasters are inequitable and unreasonable making business operations unviable," he said.

The I&B ministry has been taking up these issues for discussions with the US in working group meetings which are held every six months.

Documents have also been exchanged between the two sides for better clarity in understanding US law.

The issue continues to be flagged in these meetings for a review so as to address the grievances of the broadcasters.