India’s leading broadcasters have reportedly increased the rates of their television (TV) channels after nearly three years. Popular names in this list include Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE), Culver Max Entertainment (Sony), and Sun TV Network, among others.

According to a report in the Economic Times, with the rise in these rates, the monthly TV subscription bills of many consumers are also expected to rise. The new a la carte prices and bouquet of channel costs are expected to take effect on February 1, 2023.

The report states that all the above leading broadcasters have also submitted their Reference Interconnection Offers (RIOs). These RIOs, published by service providers, often specify the conditions under which other service providers may seek interconnection. Accordingly, even Disney Star India and Viacom18 are expected to bring their RIOs soon, as per the report.

“We have asked Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which also regulates the sector) not to (tariffs) go back to the ₹19 MRP limit, but the regulator did not listen to us. Trai has kept telling DPOs (distribution platform operators) that broadcasters will not increase prices,” the Economic Times quoted a source as saying.

The report also adds a revision and increase in these prices in the backdrop of changes announced by TRAI to the regulatory framework for broadcasting services. The regulator has restored the old MRP ceiling of Rs 19 and also removed the “dual conditions” in the new framework, the report said.