KATHMANDU, June 16: The government has formally brought Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, which provide digital streaming services to avail films, television shows, and other content directly to viewers via the internet, under mandatory registration and licensing.
By amending the National Broadcasting Regulations, 2052 BS, the Ministry of Information and Communications announced that both foreign and domestic OTT service providers must now obtain official permission to operate in Nepal. The revised provisions, published in the Nepal Gazette on Monday, mark the first time these platforms will be subject to a clear legal framework.
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OTT platforms, which bypass traditional cable and satellite broadcasters, have expanded rapidly in Nepal but had been operating informally without registration. This lack of regulation created challenges in monitoring content, collecting revenue, protecting consumer rights, and ensuring fair competition with local broadcasters.
The ministry said the amendments were introduced after extensive groundwork and policy measures initiated by Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina. The new rules explicitly include OTT and digital broadcasting systems in the regulatory framework, requiring compliance with licensing, fee structures, and monitoring standards.
Under the revised system, foreign OTT programme producers broadcasting in Nepal must pay Rs 1 million per platform, while distributors of foreign OTT signals with downlink permission must pay Rs 2.5 million per platform. Operating an OTT broadcasting service requires a license fee of Rs 10 million. Broadcasting rights (franchise) for foreign programmes cost Rs 500,000, and online radio operators must pay Rs 50,000.
Officials said the move is expected to bring greater transparency to Nepal’s digital broadcasting sector and place OTT platforms on par with traditional media in terms of regulation.
