TRAI Reforms TV Distribution Audits: New Deadlines & Relaxed Rules for Small Operators

TRAI reformed TV distribution audit rules, setting a financial-year cycle with a Sep 30 deadline. Smaller operators are exempt, easing complexity. Broadcasters can audit if distributors miss deadlines. Effective Apr 1, 2026, boosting compliance.

Broadcasters should flag any kind of disparities within 45 days of receiving the audit report.

A vital change is the transfer to a financial-year audit cycle. Distributors will now audit their systems for the previous fiscal year and share the report with broadcasters by 30 September annually. Earlier, while yearly audits were needed, there was no set deadline, frequently bring about hold-ups and differences.

TRAI’s New Audit Regulations & Deadlines

New regulations for television circulation platform audits are coming. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India has actually established clear deadlines and relieved requirements for smaller sized operators. Framework sharing standards are also upgraded. These modifications aim to boost compliance and minimize audit complexities. The modified framework will be effective from April 1, 2026, bringing substantial updates for representatives and broadcasters.

Audit Conduct & Broadcaster Involvement

The brand-new guidelines also define exactly how audits ought to be conducted. Distributors need to notify broadcasters a minimum of one month ahead of time concerning the auditor and the audit. Broadcasters can send out a representative to be present during the audit, but just to provide inputs and without influencing the process.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India has changed the policies regulating audits of tv distribution systems, setting clear deadlines, reducing needs for smaller sized drivers and setting new standards for facilities sharing.

Exemptions for Smaller Operators

Smaller drivers stand to gain from the revised framework. Distributors with approximately 30,000 energetic customers will certainly not be required to undertake audits. This leisure, nevertheless, will certainly not apply where operators are part of joint endeavors or share framework and their mixed subscriber base goes across the threshold.

TRAI stated the adjustments are planned to improve compliance, lower duplicated audits and address worries increased by both broadcasters and distribution platform drivers, specifically smaller MSOs that have long flagged the expense and complexity of audits.

Distributors will now investigate their systems for the previous monetary year and share the report with broadcasters by 30 September each year. Distributors should educate broadcasters at the very least 30 days in advance regarding the audit and the auditor. Broadcasters can send out an agent to be present during the audit, however only to supply inputs and without influencing the process.

Broadcasters will certainly be allowed to commission an audit if a supplier falls short to send its record by the 30 September due date. Such audits will be limited to yearly and will certainly be spent for by the broadcaster.

Implementation Timeline & Grievance Process

The regulatory authority finalised the rules after a substantial assessment process. It launched an appointment paper in August 2024, held discussions with stakeholders later that year and issued draft laws in September 2025, prolonging target dates for feedback after sector requests.

The adjustments, alerted on 5 February, will enter effect from 1 April 2026. They amend the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Wire) Solutions Interconnection (Addressable Solutions) Rules, 2017.

The procedure for elevating problems has additionally been streamlined. Broadcasters must flag any kind of disparities within 45 days of receiving the audit record. The matter can be taken up with TRAI if issues are not resolved after the auditor’s action.