IBDF
Competition Commission of India probes industry bodies for possible ad cartelisation
The Competition Commission of India is probing industry bodies ISA, AAAI, and IBDF for potential cartelisation in the advertising sector. Triggered by complaints, the investigation examines their guidelines and advisories, including alleged restrictive agreements and coordinated enforcement actions.
Panel wants IT, I&B Ministries and DoT under one umbrella
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology proposes merging the MeitY, MIB, and DoT to enhance coordination amid technology convergence. The parliamentary panel's report also suggests the MIB explore introducing a comprehensive media bill to address broadcasting, cable TV, and OTT platform concerns. Industry resistance is expected due to the fundamental differences between broadcasting and telecommunications services.
India's ad industry raids followed tip-offs under leniency scheme, sources say
India's antitrust raids on media buying agencies, triggered by submissions to a leniency scheme, targeted WPP's GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis, and Dentsu for alleged collusion on ad prices. Dentsu reportedly provided evidence, and the investigation's outcome could lead to significant penalties for the implicated firms.
Cartelisation in ad world? CCI doing fact check
The Competition Commission of India's probe into top media agencies aims to uncover evidence of potential cartelisation. Investigators are examining whether agencies colluded with broadcasters to manipulate market rates and secure clients through exclusive deals. The investigation could lead to substantial penalties and increased regulatory oversight if anti-competitive practices are confirmed.
CCI raids on global media giants GroupM, Publicis, Dentsu ran through the night while IPL countdown starts
Indian antitrust officers conducted extensive raids and interrogations at media agencies, including GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis, and Dentsu, for alleged price fixing in the advertising sector. The Competition Commission of India executed these actions just ahead of the IPL cricket tournament, targeting key locations and major broadcasters.
CCI searches offices of several media agencies on allegations of anti-competitive pricing practices
The Competition Commission of India conducted searches at top media agencies such as GroupM, Madison, IPG Mediabrands, and Dentsu over alleged anti-competitive pricing. The investigation aims to check for collusion on ad rates and discounts. Documents and data were seized, and further analysis will follow to ensure fair pricing and a level playing field in media buying.
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AAAI confers Lifetime Award on Madison Media's Vikram Sakhuja
Vikram Sakhuja has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the AAAI for his 38 years of significant contributions to the advertising industry. He has held leadership roles in several top media companies and serves on various industry bodies. Sakhuja expressed his humility and gratification in receiving this recognition from his peers.
Jio Star's Kevin Vaz elected president of IBDF
Kevin Vaz, CEO of Jio Star's entertainment division, has been elected president of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). Vaz, succeeding K Madhavan, aims to democratize content creation and foster sustainable growth within India's expanding media landscape, emphasising equitable collaborations and progressive regulations.
TDSAT declines stay on DD Free Dish pay channel regulation, gives broadcasters two weeks to comply
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) rejected broadcasters' plea to stay TRAI's new tariff regulation for DD Free Dish. Broadcasters must now publish a revised Reference Interconnect Offer within two weeks. The regulation mandates channels be either free on all platforms if free on DD Free Dish or withdrawn from it to maintain pay channel status.
TRAI seeks feedback on broadcast audit regulations post open house discussion
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is reviewing broadcasting audit regulations. Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) largely support current rules but seek amendments, while broadcasters want greater audit rights. Concerns over costs for smaller DPOs and content security for broadcasters were raised. TRAI aims to balance stakeholder interests and ensure a robust, compliant broadcasting sector.
SC directs IBDF to move Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal against TRAI's tariff orders
The Supreme Court instructs the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation to move TDSAT against TRAI’s July tariff order mandating free-to-air channels on DD Free Dish, impacting broadcasters’ ability to offer pay channels. IBDF argues the order infringes upon their freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.
Broadcasters move NCLAT against Google fees on apps
The Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), representing TV broadcasters and OTT platforms, appealed to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against an interim order from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The CCI denied interim relief from Google's app payment policies. IBDF’s counsel urged NCLAT to stop Google from charging fees on app transactions and onboarding. Fees, between 11% and 26%, affect paid app downloads, in-app purchases, even with alternate payments.
KukuFM, Shaadi and IBDF appeal NCLAT against CCI’s interim order in Google Play Store case
Google given a week to respond to appeals against CCI order by KukuFM & IBDF. Startups accuse Google of discriminatory fees. The tribunal will address the matter on May 24.
Broadcasters seek meeting with Parliamentary Committee
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has requested a meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT after being excluded from deliberations on a report on the regulation of cable television in India. The IBDF expressed concerns about the report's inaccuracies, misinterpretations of data, and omissions of crucial information.
Broadcasters want OTT to be kept outside broadcast bill's purview
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to exclude OTT platforms from the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2023. The IBDF argued that treating linear TV and OTT platforms equally would constitute 'reverse discrimination' and violate Article 14 of the constitution. The draft bill aims to broaden the scope of broadcasting to include both broadcast content and distribution systems, including OTT.
Pay-TV viewership has grown as 5.8 million homes switched from free to paid: IBDF
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) reported a 7% viewership growth in pay-TV homes, with 5.8 million households transitioning from free-to-air to pay-TV. This marks a reversal of the trend of pay-TV consumers switching to DD Free Dish. The IBDF said viewers in India are dedicating an additional 53 minutes per week to watching TV in 2023 compared to the previous year
IBDF re-elects Disney Star chief K Madhavan as president for third time
The IBDF has re-elected Disney Star President K Madhavan as its president for the third consecutive time. The decision was made at IBDF's 24th AGM on October 31. Network18 MD Rahul Joshi and India TV chairman Rajat Sharma have been re-elected as vice presidents for Government & Regulatory Affairs and News & Current Affairs, respectively.
Broadcasters urge regulator to remove pricing restrictions
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), the umbrella organization of India's top broadcasters, including Disney Star, Sony Pictures Networks India, Zee Entertainment, and Viacom18, has advocated for the elimination of all monetary restrictions, including price caps, ceilings, discount caps, and limitations on the creation of bouquets for both broadcasters and distribution platforms.
Broadcasters' forum writes to DoT over C-band issue
The letter from IBDF secretary general Siddharth Jain to DoT secretary (telecom) K Rajaraman dated June 15 follows one from the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) on June 8, asking for information and views from a select group of broadcasters and teleport operators regarding the government's proposal to move Indian broadcasting from the current frequency band of 3700-4200 MHz to 4000-4200 MHz.
Broadcasting body seeks MIB intervention over C-band auction
In the letter, which has also been copied to the Department of Telecommunications and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the IBDF president has also sought a meeting with the MIB for a detailed deliberation on the matter.
Media bodies reject proposal for unified legal framework
There is no requirement for a separate comprehensive code to address the convergence between broadcasting and telecommunication services, Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), and All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) said in their submission.
Cable operators agree to sign new agreements, broadcasters resume connection
The standoff between broadcasters and local cable/multi-system operators over the New Tariff Order (NTO) has ended and connection of channels to nearly 4.5 million homes was restored on Friday after the latter decided to sign fresh agreements, said industry sources.
Broadcasters resume signals to MSOs as the deadlock over NTO 3.0 ends
Disney Star, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), and Culver Max Entertainment (Sony), who are members of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) have decided to activate the signals of their channels to MSOs Hathway Digital, DEN Networks, GTPL, Fastway Transmission, and NXT Digital (Hinduja Global Solutions) after the MSOs decided to sign agreements as per the new tariff order (NTO 3.0).
Broadcaster and cable operators exchange barbs, label charges over new tariff order
The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) in a statement on Sunday charged All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) members of making "inaccurate remarks regarding the new price regime" and invoking "consumer sentiment".
I&B ministry has addressed 265 grievances around OTT content under IT Rules 2021: Anurag Thakur
Earlier, Thakur had said that 95% of the complaints received by the OTT platforms are settled at the first level of the three-level grievance redressal mechanism.
Broadcasters reach out to govt on airing public service content
One of the clauses stipulate that broadcasters will have to air 30 minutes of content of national importance every day on socially relevant themes.
Broadcasting sector requires light-touch regulatory regime, says IBDF president
The sector is experiencing a crisis as many consumers at the top end of the pay-TV spectrum opt for video streaming services, while those at the bottom move to free-to-air platforms, resulting in a subscription revenue squeeze. Also, advertisement revenues are yet to recover from last year's Covid disruptions.
IBDF re-elects K Madhavan as president
“I am humbled by the trust and faith IBDF members have reposed in me to lead the foundation for a second term,” Madhavan said. “We are at an interesting crossroad where the combination of consumer, regulatory and technology trends is remodelling the media landscape and ecosystem."
IBF expands purview to cover digital streaming platforms; renamed as Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation
According to 'The PwC Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2020-2024', the Indian Media and Industry sector is expected to grow at a 10.1 per cent compound annual growth rate to reach USD 55 billion by 2024.
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