New Delhi: Cable operators on July 15 threatened to continue in the present regime from August 1, if the government did not put in place a regulatory mechanism to rein in broadcasters.

The Cable Operators' Federation of India (COFI) and the National Cable Telecom Association (NCTA) told reporters that in the absence of a regulatory framework they would not offer the Rs 72 "honeymoon" package for all channels, as agreed earlier.

The cable operators said that several issues needed to be addressed including putting a cap on advertising on pay channels, asking broadcasters to come up with "reasonable" pay channel rates and ensuring that there was no blackout of any pay channels once the new regime is implemented.

PTI