The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Telecommunication (Broadcasting & Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Seventh Amendment) Regulations, 2026. It has updated long-standing rules for television distributors and broadcasters.

The move aims to streamline audit processes, tighten compliance timelines and promote transparency across the television distribution ecosystem.

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New Audit Timelines and Reporting Rules

Under the amendment, television channel distributors (cable operators, direct-to-home (DTH) platforms & internet protocol television (IPTV) providers) must now conduct and produce annual audits and reports of their addressable systems for each financial year. The deadline for submitting the broadcasters’ reports is September 30. This replaces earlier open-ended cycles that often led to delays and disputes.

TRAI’s framework also clarifies that broadcasters may appoint a representative to observe audit proceedings, exercise oversight and raise objections in cases of any discrepancies. Repeated audits will require regulator approval, a step designed to reduce unnecessary audit costs and disruption.

To balance compliance costs, distributors with less than 30,000 active subscribers will be exempted from mandatory audits, though broadcasters can still commission audits of such operators at their expense.

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Infrastructure Sharing, Accountability and Next Steps

The amendment has provided clarity on requirements for infrastructure-sharing arrangements. It now mandates separating system instances for shared subscriber management and access systems. This is intended to enhance data segregation and enable accurate reconciliation for each distributor.

The regulations also strengthen auditor accountability by tightening eligibility and independence requirements for audit firms, a response to industry feedback about repetitive and inconsistent audit practices.

The regulations, first drafted in 2025 following stakeholder consultations and open-house discussions, will take effect on April 1, 2026. TRAI and broadcasters will now focus on implementing and adhering to the new audit schedule ahead of the upcoming financial year.