The Delhi High Court backed Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) rules limiting TV ads to 12 minutes an hour,a move that affects many broadcasters and news channels. The ruling came down on May 29,2026, dismissing several challenges to the cap, which has been around since 2013.
Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Amit Mahajan stated that TRAI acted within its rights in setting this ad limit. The petitioners claimed the rules breached Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution, arguing that 10-minute cap on commercials and 2-minute limit on self-promos hurt their bottom line.
Local broadcasters said their main income comes from ads, especially since they earn little from subscriptions. They warned that restrictions on ad time could threaten their financial health . TRAI responded that TV operates differently from print,where people can skip ads. TV viewers can't avoid interruptions during shows, so regulations are needed to keep their experience intact.
TRAI's rules came after a flood of consumer complaints, aimed at ensuring licensing compliance and improving service quality. The court sided with TRAI, agreeing that too many ad breaks hurt the viewing experience. It pointed out that how often and how long ads run is key to keeping viewers happy.
“Excessive or uneven commercial intrusion is not merely an economic concern; rather, it impairs right of consumers to a fair and reasonable viewing experience,”the court said. It added that broadcasters don’t have an “unfettered right to exploit spectrum for commercial purposes.”
In its 68-page ruling, court noted that India's 12-minute limit matches international norms. Countries like Argentina,Croatia, Canada, Germany,Ireland,and the U.K. have similar caps, usually between 9 and 12 minutes per hour. The court wrapped up by saying the regulatory framework is a valid exercise of state power over a limited public resource.
