MIB Cancels 1,000+ MSO Licenses in 2 Years; Sector Plunges to 55 Operators

• Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) cancelled over 1,000 Multi-System Operator (MSO) registrations in two years.
• Valid MSO registrations plummeted to 55 by December 31, 2024, from a cumulative 880 in March 2024.
• Cancellations target inactive, non-compliant MSOs failing mandatory system audits, addressing piracy and under-reporting.
• Regulatory tightening includes Cable Television Networks Rules amendments (Sept 2023) for renewals and the Broadcast Seva portal.
• New rules allow MSOs to offer last-mile internet, encouraging diversification and pushing out weaker players.

Why It Matters: MIB's strict enforcement has drastically consolidated India's cable TV sector, promoting compliance and transparency.