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By Aditya Kalra
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Netflix, billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Viacom18 and different streaming firms plan to collectively foyer the Indian authorities to delay or revamp a broadcast invoice they concern will likely be onerous for the sector, sources acquainted with the matter stated.
India final month launched the brand new draft legislation to manage the broadcasting sector that can even apply to streaming giants. It proposes the formation of particular person content material analysis committees with members from numerous social teams who will evaluation and log out on exhibits earlier than they’re launched.
Although all movies in Indian cinemas are reviewed and authorized by a government-appointed board, streamed content material just isn’t.
In a closed-door assembly this week, prime executives of a number of streaming firms together with Netflix and Viacom18 which runs the JioCinema platform, mentioned a plan to method the federal government to delay and contemplate overhauling the invoice, stated the sources, who declined to be named because the talks have been non-public.
The invoice is open for public session till Dec. 10
Netflix and others raised concern the content material committees would result in extreme pre-screening checks, elevating implementation issues as a excessive variety of content material that goes on-line will should be reviewed first, stated one of many sources.
Netflix and Viacom18, in addition to India’s Info and Broadcasting Ministry, which has proposed the legislation, didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The primary supply stated streaming executives throughout this week’s assembly flagged dangers the legislation might influence the business’s progress.
Platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Disney and JioCinema have turn into massively standard in India, which is about to develop right into a $7 billion marketplace for the sector by 2027, in accordance with Media Companions Asia.
India’s authorities says the brand new legislation and formation of content material committees will assist in “sturdy self-regulation”. The federal government can outline the committee’s measurement and quorum and solely “duly licensed” exhibits shall be broadcast, the invoice says.
“There are worries about intensive authorities oversight on streaming platforms,” a second supply stated.
Prime Bollywood stars characteristic in Indian streaming exhibits, a few of which have confronted criticism from lawmakers and the general public for scenes deemed vulgar or offensive.
(Reporting by Aditya Kalra, extra reporting by Munsif Vengattil; Modifying by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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