On 26 October 2026, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released recommendations on 'Authorisation Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services. To handle changing broadcasting market, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sent a reference to TRAI on 15 December 2025 u/s 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act of 1997 and asked regulator to examine as well as recommend a regulatory framework for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services so as to ensure fairness, content accountability and consumer protection.
The regulator looked into these services and noted that various applications are available which aggregate and distribute scheduled linear TV channels to consumers. These can be offered in several ways: as pre-installed applications on TV sets and other devices as downloadable mobile or smart TV applications or as web-based applications accessible through web browsers.
Given the wide ranging nature of service delivery through connected TVs, these services have been collectively referred to as “Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services,” which includes Free-Ad Streaming Television (FAST) services.
On 6th April 2026, the Authority issued a consultation paper titled “Formulation of a Regulatory Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services. This paper included Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services as well. It invited comments from stakeholders. In total, it received 207 comments and 11 counter comments. All of them were uploaded to TRAI's website.
Additionally, an open house discussion was held by TRAI this year on 10th June 2026. This was done to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to present their views on consultation topics. On the basis of comments and counter comments given by shareholders, inputs gathered at discussion and its own analysis, the telecom regulator finalised its ALTD services recommendations.
These recommendations aim to create a light-touch, future oriented policy framework for internet based distribution of linear television channels. The focus of these recommendations is greatly on promoting innovation, facilitating business operations, ensuring consumer protection and providing regulatory certainty.
The ‘ALTD Service’ aggregates and distributes linear television channels over public internet or other IP-based networks. It provides consumers with a viewing experience that is quite similar to traditional television distribution platforms on various internet-enabled devices.
Therefore, the Authority recommends that ‘ALTD Service’ should be recognized as a distinct sub-category under ‘Television Channel Distribution Services’ within broadcasting authorisation framework as outlined u/s 3(1)(a) of Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Here are the major recommendations given by the telecom regulator regarding the ALTD services:-
|
Recommendation |
Detail |
|
Introduction of ALTD Service |
Introduction of the 'ALTD Service' u/s 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 |
|
Definition of ALTD Service |
‘ALTD Service’ is defined as aggregation of linear television channels that have been approved by the Central Government, including ‘Internet-native linear television channels’ (with approved name and logo), along with ALTD application provider’s own platform service channels, and its distribution to the users, with or without value-added services including on-demand audio-visual content, over public Internet or other IP-based networks through applications, websites or any other similar consumer interface, accessed through Internet-enabled devices. |
|
Scope of ALTD Service |
The scope of the 'ALTD Service' should encompass development, deployment and management of such applications for users in India. However, it should exclude platforms owned by broadcasters that distribute only their own channels or those of their subsidiary/holding companies as well as live streams on social media intermediaries. |
|
Authorisation Terms and Conditions |
The terms and conditions governing ALTD service authorisation will be specified as rules u/s 56 of Telecommunications Act, 2023. Additionally, the processes for authorisation, channel registration and reporting should be facilitated through an online portal, as per TRAI recommendation. |
|
Primary Responsibility for Authorisation |
The TRAI has recommended that the application provider should be the primary entity who is responsible for obtaining authorisation for offering ALTD service and for adhering to the authorisation framework. |
|
Light-touch Authorisation Framework |
The telecom regulator has also recommended that there should be a light-touch authorisation framework. It should cover national service area, initial validity of 20 years and renewable for successive periods of 10 years, application processing fee of Rs. 10,000 and one-time entry fee of Rs. 1 lakh. The framework should not include authorisation fee, security deposit or bank guarantee. |
|
Detailed Terms and Conditions |
The detailed terms and conditions for granting authorisation as well as the common and specific terms applicable to the ALTD service have been developed in accordance with the TRAI's recommendations on authorisation framework for broadcasting services. These have been modified as needed to reflect the application-based and infrastructure-light nature of ALTD service. |
|
Master ALTD App Repository |
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) should maintain a ‘Master ALTD App Repository.’ Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including television manufacturers and operating system providers must ensure that only authorised ALTD applications are available on their devices and application stores. They will also be required to submit an annual compliance report to MIB in prescribed format, as per the TRAI recommendation. |
|
Internet-native Linear Television Channels |
In addition to existing permitted or authorised television channels, a framework has been recommended for simple registration of ‘Internet-native linear television channels.’ |
|
Distribution of Television Channels |
The authorised entity should be responsible for distributing only those television channels that have valid permission, authorisation or registration from the Central Government. |
|
Consumer Complaints and Grievances |
The Application Provider must act as the primary point of contact for consumer complaints and grievances pertaining to ALTD services. |
|
Viewership Measurement |
Viewership of television channels distributed through ALTD applications should be included in television audience measurement framework and authorised ALTD application providers should be permitted to publish anonymized periodic viewership data in accordance with the TV Ratings Policy, 2026. |
The recommendations given by TRAI intend to promote the orderly growth of internet based linear television distribution services.
Sources:- TRAI
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