TRAI Recommends Light-Touch Authorisation Framework for Application-Based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued recommendations for a regulatory framework governing Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services, including Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) services, to promote regulatory certainty, innovation and consumer protection.

1. Introduction of ALTD Services

·         TRAI has recommended introducing ALTD Services as a distinct sub-category under ‘Television Channel Distribution Services’ within the broadcasting authorisation framework under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

·         The recommendations follow a reference from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) dated 15 December 2025 under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997.

·         TRAI issued a consultation paper on 6 April 2026 and received 207 comments and 11 counter-comments from stakeholders.

·         An Open House Discussion was held on 10 June 2026.

2. Definition and Scope of ALTD Services

·         ALTD Services involve aggregating and distributing linear television channels approved by the Central Government, including registered Internet-native linear television channels with approved names and logos.

·         The services may also include the application provider's own platform service channels and value-added services, including on-demand audiovisual content.

·         Distribution may take place through applications, websites or similar consumer interfaces over the public Internet or other IP-based networks.

·         The services cover application development, deployment and management for users in India.

Exclusions:

·         Broadcaster-owned platforms distributing only their own channels or those of their holding or subsidiary companies.

·         Live streams on social media intermediaries.

3. Authorisation Framework and Fees

TRAI has recommended a light-touch authorisation regime with the following conditions:

Particulars

Recommended provision

Service category

Distinct sub-category under Television Channel Distribution Services

Legal framework

Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023

Service area

National

Initial authorisation validity

20 years

Renewal

Successive periods of 10 years

Application processing fee

₹10,000

One-time entry fee

₹1 lakh

Authorisation fee

Nil

Bank guarantee

Not required

Security deposit

Not required

·         The terms and conditions governing ALTD authorisation should be notified as Rules under Section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

·         Authorisation, channel registration and reporting processes should be facilitated through an online portal.

4. Responsibility of Application Providers

·         The ALTD Application Provider will be the primary entity responsible for obtaining authorisation and complying with the applicable regulatory requirements.

·         Authorised providers may distribute only television channels holding valid permission, authorisation or registration from the Central Government.

·         The detailed authorisation conditions will be aligned with TRAI's broader recommendations for broadcasting services, with modifications reflecting the application-based and infrastructure-light nature of ALTD services.

5. Obligations of Device Manufacturers and Operating System Providers

·         MIB should maintain a Master ALTD App Repository.

·         Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including television manufacturers, and operating system (OS) providers should ensure that only authorised ALTD applications are made available through their devices and application stores.

·         OEMs and OS providers will be required to submit annual compliance reports to MIB in the prescribed format.

6. Registration of Internet-Native Linear Television Channels

·         TRAI has recommended a simplified registration framework for Internet-native linear television channels.

·         Such channels must have approved names and logos.

·         ALTD application providers may distribute only channels holding the requisite government permission, authorisation or registration.

7. Consumer Protection and Grievance Redressal

·         The ALTD Application Provider will serve as the primary point of contact for consumer complaints and grievance redressal.

·         The framework aims to strengthen consumer protection and establish clear accountability for application-based television distribution.

8. Television Audience Measurement and Viewership Data

·         Viewership of television channels distributed through ALTD applications should be integrated into the existing television audience measurement framework.

·         Authorised ALTD Application Providers should be permitted to publish anonymised periodic viewership data in accordance with the TV Ratings Policy, 2026.

Effect of these Recommendations

·         Establishes a distinct authorisation framework for Internet-based linear television distribution, including FAST services.

·         Introduces a low-cost, light-touch regulatory regime without recurring authorisation fees, bank guarantees or security deposits.

·         Places primary compliance and consumer grievance responsibilities on application providers.

·         Requires OEMs and OS providers to make only authorised ALTD applications available through their devices and app stores.

·         Provides for simplified registration of Internet-native linear television channels.

·         Integrates ALTD viewership into television audience measurement, supporting a more comprehensive measurement framework.

·         Seeks to facilitate innovation, ease of doing business, consumer protection and regulatory certainty in Internet-based television distribution.

Key takeaway: TRAI has recommended a dedicated, low-cost authorisation framework for ALTD and FAST services, with 20-year initial validity, a ₹1 lakh one-time entry fee and no authorisation fee. The framework also establishes responsibilities for application providers, device manufacturers and OS providers, while strengthening channel registration, consumer protection and audience measurement. These are TRAI's recommendations; the proposed framework will depend on the relevant government's subsequent regulatory action.

 

<Recommendation>

[ABS News Service/26.10.2026]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released Recommendations on ‘Authorisation Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services’ on 26 October, 2026.

In view of the evolving broadcasting landscape, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has sent a reference to TRAI, under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act 1997, on 15th December 2025, to examine and recommend a regulatory framework for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services ensuring parity, content accountability and consumer protection.

TRAI has examined such services and observed that several applications aggregate and distribute scheduled linear TV channels to consumers, either as pre-installed applications on TV sets and other devices; or as downloadable mobile/smart TV applications; or as web-based applications accessible through web browsers. Considering such wider scope of service provisioning through connected TVs, the services have been broadly referred to as ‘Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services’ including FAST Services.

Accordingly, the Authority on 6th April 2026, had issued a Consultation Paper titled ‘Formulation of a Regulatory Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services (Including Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services)’ and solicited comments from stakeholders. In response, 207 comments and 11 counter-comments were received and uploaded on TRAI's website. As part of the consultation process, an Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on 10th June 2026, providing stakeholders an opportunity to present their views on the issues under consultation.

Based on the comments and counter-comments received from stakeholders, inputs gathered during the OHD, and its own analysis, the Authority has finalised its Recommendations on the ‘Authorisation Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services’. The recommendations seek to establish a light-touch and future-ready policy framework for Internet-based distribution of linear television channels, while promoting innovation, ease of doing business, consumer protection and regulatory certainty. These recommendations are built upon and complement the broader authorisation framework recommended by the Authority in its recommendations on ‘Framework for Service Authorisations for provision of Broadcasting Services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023’ issued on 21st February 2025.

Since ‘ALTD Service’ aggregates and distributes linear television channels over public Internet or other IP-based networks and provides consumers with a television viewing experience akin to conventional television distribution platforms across a variety of Internet-enabled devices, the Authority has recommended that ‘ALTD Service’ be introduced as a distinct sub-category under ‘Television Channel Distribution Services’ within the broadcasting authorisation framework under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.  The recommendations further prescribe an authorisation framework, specifying the terms and conditions governing both the grant of authorisation and the provisioning of ‘ALTD Service’. The recommendations also provide obligations for key stakeholders like Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Operating System (OS) providers and the broadcasters/content owners of the TV channels; measures for consumer protection; and inclusion of ALTD viewership in the television audience measurement framework, thereby covering all aspects of a linear television distribution services.

The salient points of the Recommendations are given below:

·         Introduction of ‘ALTD Service’ under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

·         ‘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.

·         Its scope covers development, deployment and management of such applications for users in India and excludes broadcaster-owned platforms distributing only their own channels or the channels of subsidiary/holding company; and live streams on social media intermediaries.

·         The terms and conditions governing ‘ALTD Service’ authorisation should be notified as Rules under Section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the authorisation, channel registration and reporting processes should be enabled through an online portal.

·         The Application Provider has been recommended as the primary entity responsible for obtaining authorisation for providing ‘ALTD Service’ and for complying with the applicable authorisation framework.

·         A light-touch authorisation framework has been recommended, with a national service area, an initial validity of 20 years renewable for successive periods of 10 years, an application processing fees of ₹10,000 and a one-time entry fee of ₹1 lakh, with no authorisation fee, bank guarantee or security deposit.

·         The detailed terms and conditions of grant of authorisation; and common and specific terms and conditions applicable to ‘ALTD Service’ have been recommended in alignment with TRAI's Recommendations on the authorisation framework for broadcasting services, with suitable modifications, to reflect the application-based and infrastructure-light nature of ‘ALTD Service’.

·         MIB should maintain a ‘Master ALTD app repository’. The OEMs (including television manufacturers) and the OS providers should ensure that only authorised ALTD applications are made available through their devices and application stores. They will be required to submit an annual compliance report to MIB in prescribed format.

·         In addition to existing permitted/authorised television channels, a framework has been recommended for simple registration of ‘Internet-native linear television channels’.

·         Authorised entity of ‘ALTD Service’ should distribute only the television channels holding valid permission/authorisation or registration from the Central Government.

·         The Application Provider should serve as the primary point of contact for consumer complaints and grievance redressal relating to ‘ALTD Service’.

·         Viewership of television channels distributed through ALTD applications should be integrated into the television audience measurement framework, and authorised ALTD application providers should be permitted to publish anonymised periodic viewership data in accordance with the TV Ratings Policy, 2026.

The recommendations aim to facilitate orderly growth of Internet-based linear television distribution services by providing an enabling authorisation framework.

The Recommendations have been placed on the TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in). For any clarification/information, Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (Broadcasting & Cable Services), TRAI, may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907774.