MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MIB) will hold a meeting to discuss issues related to uplinking and downlinking of satellite channels on 30 April in New Delhi.

MIB informed all broadcasters that authorized representatives of the companies whose proposals are pending in the Ministry can participate in the meeting. It also added that the issues proposed to be taken up by the companies during the meeting should be sent to MIB within 24 April.

The television broadcasting sector in India, governed by MIB, has 904 permitted satellite channels, 1469 registered regular MSOs, 6 DTH operators, 2 HITS operators. To start any new channel in the country, applicants have to apply to MIB. However, a security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is also mandatory.

In March, MIB issued eleven new TV licenses in the non-news category. While Viacom18 received nine of those, other two licenses were granted to Star India and Hare Krisna Content Broadcast. Earlier this month, ABP News Network and BBC Global News also received channel licenses.