The interim broadcast regulator being considered by the government for expedient resolution of the conditional access system imbroglio may also enforce programming code and regulate content on television, official sources said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
They said the regulator, which could also be an existing body like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, could regulate issues like pay channel prices, programming content on television channels, advertisements on pay channels and the subscription row between broadcasters on the one hand and MSOs and cable operators on the other.
While denying any move by the government to withdraw CAS implementation in South Delhi, they said it had several options before it and was still examining them.
"We are working on the regulator and what all should fall in its ambit. But it is wrong to say that the government will bring out an ordinance soon...our position is what it was and remains unchanged," they added.
On what message was being given to consumers, the official sources said it was not for the government to convey whether consumer should buy set-top boxes or not and sought to distance themselves from the cable operators' plea of reining in broadcasters and pay channel rates.