The recent topic of sports streaming in India has become highly sensitive due to players engaging in freebie arrangements. JioCinema initiated this trend with the IPL and even extended it to the FIFA World Cup. Now, Hotstar is following the same path.
Previously, TDSAT had sent a notice to Disney Star regarding the free streaming of cricket matches. This notice arose from a plea filed by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF). Their concern was that offering free cricket streaming appeared unfair to the cable TV industry, which pays broadcasters for featuring cricket matches.
In terms of Cable TV, this poses a significant challenge as India is moving towards a digital future, and the majority of the population has smartphones for streaming sports. This also raises concerns about advertisement slots.
The Telecom Disputes Tribunal ruled in favor of Star India Pvt Ltd, permitting the free streaming of cricket matches, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that began on Thursday, on its streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar.
According to the TDSAT judgment, it was asserted that, on the face of it, the OTT platform is not considered a TV channel, and the respondent does not require any permission or license from the Central Government. Furthermore, upon examining the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the rules framed under it for the year 2021, as well as the provisions of the TRAI Act, 1997, there is no prima facie case against this petitioner.
