Lok Sabha Question No. 571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Revenue Earned through Advertisements
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, B.N. CHANDRAPPA, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 571 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.02016

Revenue Earned through Advertisements

571.   SHRI D.K. SURESH: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA: SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  revenue  earned  from  advertisements  during  cricket  telecasts during the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has received any recommendations to restrict the  advertisements  during  cricket  telecasts  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJEY GOEL)

- (a) Madam, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has informed that during  the  last  three  years  2013-14  to  2015-16,  revenue  amounting  to  Rs. 29.61  crores  (unaudited)  was  earned  from  the  advertisements  during  the Cricket  telecast.    However,  DD  is  awaiting  final  audited  statement  from Revenue Management Companies (RMC).
- (b)&(c) Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has informed that Content aired on the television channels is governed by Programme and Advertising Codes enshrined in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act and the Rules framed thereunder.  Rule 7(11) of the Cable Television Networks Rules

1994 has prescribed a ceiling limit of 12 minutes of advertisements per hour of broadcast for all television channels.

TRAI had notified the regulations namely 'Standards of Quality of Service  (Duration  of  Advertisements  in  Television  Channels)  (Amendment) Regulations, 2013 dated 22.02.2013. The regulation 3 of the said regulations is as under:

'3.  Duratio n of advertisements in a clock hour--- No broadcaster shall,  in  its  broadcast  of  a  programme,  carry  advertisements exceeding twelve minutes in a clock hour.

Explanation:  The  clock  hour  means  a  period  of  sixty  minutes commencing from 00.00 of an hour and ending at 00.60 of that hour. (Example: 14:00 to 15:00 hours).'

The aforesaid regulations were challenged by some broadcasters in Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). During the pendency  of  the  case  in  TDSAT,  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Co urt  of  India,  on 06.12.2013,  passed  judgment  in  the  case  titled  'BSNL  Vs  TRAI  &  Ors.' , holding  that  TDSAT  has  no  power  to  decide  or  challenge  the  validity  of regulations. The case was, therefore, dismissed by the TDSAT.

Subsequently, some of the broadcasters have filed an appeal in the High Court of Delhi challenging the said regulations. The High Court has passed  an  interim  order  on  17.12.2013  restricting  TRAI  from  taking  any coercive  measure  against  the  petitioners  or  their  members  to  make  them abide  by  the  impugned  Regulations.  The  12  minutes  ad  cap  issue  is subjudiced in  the  Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Delhi.  Ministry  of  Information  & Broadcasting has also been impleaded in the case.

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