NEW DELHI: Broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), today said that the charges levied on a cable operator by a broadcaster would get reduced if a TV channel is withdrawn from a particular 
bouquet.

 
Pointing out that certain amendments in an earlier tariff order have been carried out, the regulator said that the changes are being made so that if a broadcaster reduces the number of channels in a bouquet, the ceiling charges of the bouquet will get reduced accordingly.

This means that if HBO, for example, gets out of the One Alliance bouquet, then cable ops and MSOs cannot be charged One Alliances earlier subscription rates, which should be reduced equivalent to the HBO channels cost.

According to Trai, in the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Second) Tariff Order 2004, reduction in ceiling charges was specified in the second provision of clause three for multi-system and cable operators. This provided reduction in ceiling charges taking into account the rates of similar channels, as on 26 December, 2003, in case of reduction in the number of channels being shown by a MSO or a cable operator.

It is considered that the same principle should also apply in case a broadcaster reduces the number of pay channels being supplied or when a pay channel converts into a free to air channel, Trai has said in an official statement today.

The details of the order can be taken from the regulators website, www.trai.gov.in.