The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has rolled out a consultation paper to seek views on formulation of regulatory framework for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Services and Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services.
This comes after it received reference from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to examine and recommend a regulatory framework for FAST Services post stakeholders’ concerns about the need to ensure parity, content accountability and consumer protection.
“App providers that distribute linear TV channels to consumers, either as pre-installed applications on TV sets and other devices; or as downloadable mobile and smart TV applications; or as web-based applications accessible through web browsers are referred to as ‘Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services’ including FAST Services,” it stated.
Checking Disparity
“The consultation paper seeks inputs on terms and conditions for grant of authorisation and service provisioning to the application providers offering ALTD services and the obligations applicable to broadcasters, content providers and aggregators for placing linear TV channels on ALTD platforms,” the broadcast and telecom regulator stated.
Industry bodies have raised concerns about “rapid and unregulated growth “ of FAST channels , highlighting that it is leading to regulatory disparity with respect to the regulated content distribution ecosystem and is posing a significant business challenge to the Distribution Platform Operators.
The consultation paper has sought views on various aspects including authorisation norms, term and conditions that they should adhere to as well as cross-holding restrictions among others. It has also focused on various aspects of data practices, consumer protection, distribution and revenue models.
Views from stakeholders have been invited to be submitted by May 4 and counter-comments by May 18.
Published on April 6, 2026