The government has granted permission to 237 new TV channels over the last six years and to five TV channels in the financial year 2023-24. Due to mergers of companies, permission for 28 TV channels has been transferred over the last six years.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur cited these figures in response to an unstarred question by DMK MP D M Kathir Anand in the Lok Sabha. The MP had asked about foreign direct investment in private broadcasting, details of channels which were sold or “annexed”, and new channels started by corporate firms over the last six years.

“This ministry has granted permission to 237 new TV channels during the last six years and to five TV channels in the current year, 2023-24. Further, permission for 28 TV channels has also been transferred due to merger of their respective permitted companies during the last six years,” the union minister said on Tuesday.

In order to uplink or downlink TV channels, broadcasters in India have to undergo an authorisation process. And in case of acquisitions, these permissions have to be transferred to another firm.

“As per Clause 32 of the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022, permission of TV channels can be transferred to another company in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 or the Limited Liability Act, 2008, subject to fulfilling conditions mentioned in Policy Guidelines.”

Speaking of new channels, the Adani-owned NDTV is launching a plethora of channels ahead of the elections. Read all about it here.