Delhi High Court has upheld the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) regulations capping television advertising at 12 minutes per hour, delivering a significant ruling in a long-running dispute between broadcasters and the regulator.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan dismissed multiple petitions filed by television broadcasters challenging TRAI’s 2012 and 2013 regulations, which enforce limits on advertising duration across TV channels. The rules permit up to 10 minutes of commercial advertising and two minutes of self-promotional content within a clock hour.
Broadcasters, including general entertainment, news, and regional television networks, had argued that the regulation infringed upon their constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 19, contending that advertising revenue remains critical to the sustainability of television businesses, especially free-to-air and regional channels.
The Court, however, held that TRAI acted within its statutory powers and noted that the regulations were intended to protect viewer interests by reducing excessive commercial interruptions. The bench observed that television audiences cannot skip advertisements in real time and described the 12-minute limit as a measure balancing commercial interests with consumer welfare.
