GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING 

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1333

ANSWERED ON: 12.12.2013 

AIRING OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON TV CHANNELS 

(a) whether the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued directions to TV channels to air not more than 12 minutes of advertisements per hour; 

(b) if so, the fact in this regard; 

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure the compliance of the aforesaid directions; 

(d) if so, the details thereof;

  (e) whether the violation of aforesaid directions is affecting the interests of consumers in the country; and 

(f) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto? 

ANSWER

(a) to (f): The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had notified the regulation namely Standards of Quality of Service (Duration of Advertisements in Television Channels) (Amendment) Regulations, 2013 dated 22.03.2013. The regulation 3 of the said regulation provides that no broadcaster shall, in its broadcast of a programme, carry advertisements exceeding twelve minutes in a clock hour. Further, regulation  provides that every broadcaster shall, within fifteen days from the end of a quarter, submit the details of advertisements carried in its channel to TRAI. The implementation of these regulations comes under the purview of TRAI. The aforesaid regulations have been challenged by some broadcasters before the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The TDSAT vide its order dated 30.8.2013 has, inter alia directed that, the TRAIshall not take any coercive measures against the broadcasters to make them abide by the said regulations till further orders. The matter is sub-judice.