Leading broadcasters such as Doordarshan, Star, Zee and Sony had recently sought some changes in the DTH guidelines. The topmost on their agenda was lifting of the 20 per cent sectoral cap for broadcasters in the DTH platform. Another demand made by the broadcasters was waiver of the 10 per cent revenue-sharing clause in the initial years of business. But, the government, say sources, is determined to stick by its original draft guidelines, which were issued last year.

In this relation, the Information & Broadcasting Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, even met the Home Minister, Mr L K Advani, last week to discuss the guidelines for DTH TV operations. Mr Advani, who heads the Group of Ministers (GoM) deliberating on DTH, was said to be taking a fresh look at the DTH guidelines after broadcasters submitted their demands to the I&B Ministry recently.

Ms Swaraj has categorically stated time and again that there would be no change in the DTH guidelines and she may have the last word on this.

Nevertheless, there's pressure on the government to review the 20 per cent sectoral cap in DTH.

Broadcasters who are keen to set up the DTH platform have been quite upset over the 20 per cent sectoral cap imposed on them, as it does not make sense for them to invest in a platform with so little holding.