Information and Broadcasting ministry removes 12-minute ad cap for TV channels

Why in news

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry removed the 12-minute-per-hour advertisement cap for TV channels to adapt to the evolving digital broadcasting landscape.

Background

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the removal of the 12-minute ad cap, which was originally upheld by the Delhi High Court in May. The move aims to address the shift from 62 TV channels in 2006 to over 900 channels today.

Facts for Prelims

• BodyInformation and Broadcasting Ministry (IB) is the nodal ministry for television and radio regulations in India.
• FactThe number of TV channels in India has grown from 62 in 2006 to over 900 currently.
• FactThe previous advertisement cap was 12 minutes per hour of broadcast.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the impact of the removal of television advertisement caps on the regulatory framework of broadcasting and the competitiveness of traditional media against digital platforms.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Regulatory shift
• Digital media competition
• Revenue models for broadcasters

Keywords: Regulatory framework · Digital disruption · Market competition · Broadcasting policy

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