The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday, 26 October 2026, released its recommendations for an authorisation framework covering Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services — a regulatory first for platforms that stream scheduled linear television channels over the internet, including Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) services. The move follows a formal reference from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in December 2025, which asked TRAI to devise a framework ensuring a level playing field, content accountability and consumer protection in the fast-evolving broadcasting landscape.

What Triggered the Recommendations

A growing number of applications now aggregate and distribute scheduled linear television channels through connected TVs, smart TVs, mobile applications and web-based platforms, replicating a traditional television-viewing experience over internet networks. TRAI noted that this expansion had outpaced the existing regulatory architecture, creating ambiguity around consumer safeguards and market accountability. The MIB's December 2025 reference formally set the process in motion.

TRAI launched a public consultation in April 2026, drawing 207 stakeholder comments and 11 counter-comments. An Open House Discussion was also held in June 2026 before the regulator finalised its position.

Key Elements of the Proposed Framework

Under the recommendations, TRAI has proposed introducing ALTD Services as a distinct sub-category under 'Television Channel Distribution Services' within the broadcasting authorisation framework of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The service is defined as the aggregation and distribution of government-approved linear television channels — including internet-native linear channels and platform service channels — through applications, websites or similar interfaces on internet-enabled devices.

The framework is intended to cover the development, deployment and management of such services for users in India, applying a light-touch regulatory regime designed to support innovation while providing regulatory certainty and consumer safeguards.

Who Falls Outside the Framework

Notably, the proposed framework will not apply to broadcaster-owned platforms that distribute only their own channels or those belonging to their group companies. Live streams hosted on social media platforms are also explicitly excluded from its ambit. This carve-out is significant: it means large broadcaster ecosystems operating closed-loop distribution remain unaffected, at least under this particular framework.

Why It Matters for the Streaming Ecosystem

The ALTD framework addresses a regulatory grey zone that has widened as FAST services gained traction globally and in India. By creating a formal sub-category under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, TRAI aims to bring these platforms into a structured oversight regime without imposing the heavier compliance burden that traditional cable or DTH operators bear. This is consistent with TRAI's broader approach of calibrating regulation to the maturity and risk profile of emerging services.

Industry bodies and streaming platforms, which participated extensively in the April consultation, had broadly sought clarity on licensing, content responsibility and interoperability — areas the framework is expected to address in its full implementation. Specific licensing conditions and compliance timelines will now rest with the MIB to act upon.

What Happens Next

TRAI's recommendations are advisory; the MIB will now review and decide whether to implement them, with or without modifications. Given the Ministry's own December 2025 reference that triggered this process, a policy response is widely expected. Platforms operating ALTD services — currently in a regulatory limbo — will be watching the MIB's next move closely.