In a significant move to ensure wider access to diverse content, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory mandating cable operators to carry additional TV channels as part of compliance under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. This directive applies to all cable operators, including Multi-System Operators (MSOs) and Local Cable Operators (LCOs), and aims to enhance the availability of regional, news, and sports channels across the country.

List of Mandatory Channels
The advisory specifies that cable operators must carry the following channels:
DD Assam (General Entertainment Regional)
DD Odia (General Entertainment Regional)
Sansad TV-1 HD (News and Current Affairs, Lok Sabha)
Sansad TV-1 (News and Current Affairs, Lok Sabha)
Sansad TV-2 HD (News and Current Affairs, Rajya Sabha)
Sansad TV-2 (News and Current Affairs, Rajya Sabha)
Doordarshan National HD (General Entertainment Hindi)
DD News HD (News and Current Affairs Hindi)
DD Sports HD
DD India HD (News and Current Affairs English)

These channels must be appropriately categorized and integrated into the cable TV network, ensuring seamless access for viewers.

The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 empowers the central government to notify specific Doordarshan channels and those operated by or on behalf of Parliament as mandatory for cable operators. The MIB advisory reinforces this provision, stating that all cable operators must comply with the directive to avoid penalties or legal action.

The advisory also highlights that the list of mandatory channels is subject to periodic updates by the government, reflecting evolving viewer preferences and content requirements. This ensures that cable networks remain aligned with national broadcasting priorities.

For cable operators, this directive means updating their channel lineups and ensuring compliance with the MIB’s guidelines. While this may involve additional operational efforts, it also presents an opportunity to offer a more diverse and inclusive range of content to subscribers.

For viewers, the inclusion of these channels ensures access to regional entertainment, parliamentary proceedings, and high-definition news and sports content. This move is particularly beneficial for audiences in rural and semi-urban areas, where cable TV remains a primary source of entertainment and information.

The MIB’s directive underscores the government’s commitment to promoting inclusive and accessible broadcasting. By mandating the carriage of regional and parliamentary channels, the initiative aims to bridge content gaps and ensure that viewers across the country have access to a wide variety of programming.

Cable operators are expected to implement the changes promptly, ensuring that the mandated channels are available to subscribers without disruption. As the government continues to refine its broadcasting policies, further updates to the list of mandatory channels may be introduced, reflecting the dynamic nature of India’s media landscape.

Key Highlights:

• The MIB has mandated cable operators to carry additional TV channels, including DD Assam, Sansad TV, and DD Sports HD.
• The directive is part of compliance under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
• The move aims to enhance access to regional, news, and sports content for viewers across India.
• Cable operators must update their channel lineups to include the mandated channels promptly.