HITS Operator Permission (Headend-in-the-Sky)
A Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) operator puts its headend on a satellite and feeds TV channels to cable networks across India. It needs permission from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, a minimum net worth of ₹10 crore and a ₹10 crore entry fee. We prepare the application, the financial papers and the follow-up with the Ministry.
What it is
In a normal cable network the headend sits in a building in one city. A HITS operator moves that headend to a satellite. It receives channels from broadcasters, packages and encrypts them, and uplinks them. Cable operators anywhere in the satellite’s footprint can then pick up the feed with a dish and pass it to homes.
HITS is governed by the Policy Guidelines for HITS operators issued after the Union Cabinet’s decision of 12 November 2009, read with the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Applications and documents are handled on the Ministry’s Broadcast Seva portal. Before the service goes live, the operator also needs a Wireless Operational Licence (WOL) from the WPC Wing of the Ministry of Communications.
Who it applies to
You are an Indian company with deep pockets
Only a company registered in India under the Companies Act can apply. Individuals, firms and LLPs cannot hold HITS permission.
You run an MSO and want national reach
Think of a north Indian MSO with headends in a few cities that wants to serve cable operators in small towns across many states. One satellite platform replaces dozens of local headends.
You are a new entrant with backers
A promoter group with funding in place, including foreign investment within the limits the guidelines and the FDI policy allow.
Why it matters
Nothing goes up without it
Satellite capacity, the WPC licence and broadcaster deals all hang on the Ministry’s permission.
The stakes run into crores
The entry fee alone is ₹10 crore and non-refundable. An incomplete file only adds delay.
It keeps your guarantees safe
Bank guarantees worth ₹40 crore are forfeited in stages if services do not start on time, so the paperwork must be ready when the engineering is.
Documents required
Company papers
- Application in Form-1
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Shareholding pattern, with direct and indirect foreign equity worked out
- Details of directors, CEO and CFO for security clearance
Financial papers
- Audited balance sheet and profit and loss account
- Net-worth certificate in the prescribed proforma, certified by the statutory auditor
- Proof of payment of the ₹10 crore entry fee on Bharatkosh
Technical papers
- Satellite capacity lease agreement and footprint details
- Project report with technical specifications
- WPC application for the Wireless Operational Licence
HITS, MSO and DTH compared
| HITS operator | MSO | DTH operator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the headend is | On a satellite | On the ground, in a city | On a satellite |
| Who receives the signal | Cable operators, who pass it to homes | Homes, directly or through LCOs over cable | Homes, through their own dish |
| Who can apply | Indian company only | Individual, association or company | Indian company |
| Main approval | MIB permission plus WPC licence | MIB registration under the Cable TV Rules | MIB licence |
Here is the honest answer: for a ground-based network in one region, MSO registration is the simpler path. HITS makes sense when you want reach across many states and have the capital for it.
How it works
Set up the company and capital
We form or restructure the company, and if net worth falls short of ₹10 crore we plan the fresh equity, including an increase in authorised capital.
Build the financial file
We work with your statutory auditor on the net-worth certificate, compute foreign equity, and prepare the project report that the application and your bankers both need.
File and pay the entry fee
The application goes in on Broadcast Seva with the ₹10 crore entry fee paid through Bharatkosh.
Clear security vetting and sign the agreement
The company and its directors, MD, CEO and CFO go through security clearance. On approval, the company signs the grant of permission agreement and gives the ₹40 crore bank guarantees.
Get the WOL and start within a year
The WPC Wing issues the Wireless Operational Licence. Services must begin within one year of it.
In practice, our job is the legal, financial and portal work and the liaison with the Ministry. Satellite engineering, earth station design and the WPC technical case are handled by your technical consultants.
Timelines
Count ten years from the WOL
Ten years from the date the Wireless Operational Licence is issued.
Go live within one year
Uplinking and downlinking must begin within one year of the WOL.
Keep guarantees valid three years
Two guarantees of ₹20 crore each, valid for three years.
What happens if you miss the rollout
Late by up to a year
If services do not start within one year of the WOL, half the guarantee, ₹20 crore, is forfeited.
Not live in two years
If services are still not running within two years, the remaining ₹20 crore is forfeited too.
Breaches of the Cable TV Act
Under Section 16 as amended by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, a first contravention can draw a penalty of up to ₹20,000, and repeats within three years up to ₹1 lakh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum net worth for a HITS operator?
The minimum net worth is ₹10 crore. It is worked out in the proforma the guidelines prescribe and certified by the company’s statutory auditor. Say a Delhi company has strong cash flows but old losses that pull its net worth below ₹10 crore. Fresh equity before you apply is the usual fix. We plan the capital and the certificate together so the numbers match your audited accounts.
How much is the HITS entry fee?
The entry fee is ₹10 crore, one time and non-refundable, paid through Bharatkosh. On top of that, the company gives two performance bank guarantees of ₹20 crore each, ₹40 crore in total, valid for three years. The guarantees come back if you meet the rollout timeline. We help you line up the bank paperwork early so the guarantees are ready when the Ministry asks.
How long is HITS permission valid?
HITS permission is valid for ten years from the date the Wireless Operational Licence is issued by the WPC Wing. The clock starts from the WOL, not from the Ministry’s approval letter. That gives you the full term once your satellite link is licensed. We track the key dates for you through the term.
Can a company with foreign investors apply?
Yes, within limits. The HITS guidelines on Broadcast Seva cap total direct and indirect foreign investment at 74%, both when you apply and while the permission runs. The FDI policy for broadcasting carriage services has been revised since, so we confirm the current cap and route before you raise money. Your application needs a full working of indirect foreign equity, which we prepare.
Can a broadcaster or DTH company own a HITS operator?
Only up to 20%. The guidelines say broadcasting and DTH companies together cannot hold more than 20% of the paid-up capital of a HITS company. The same 20% limit applies the other way, to a HITS operator’s stake in broadcasters. We review your group structure against this rule early, so a related-party holding does not stall the application.
Who needs security clearance?
The company, its directors, managing director, CEO and CFO must be security cleared and stay cleared. Foreign personnel likely to be deployed for more than 60 days in a year need clearance too. Here is the catch: when a director changes, the new person goes through vetting too. We prepare the details the Ministry needs and track the status so changes do not leave you exposed.
Do I also need a licence from WPC?
Yes. Besides the Ministry’s permission, a HITS operator needs a Wireless Operational Licence from the WPC Wing of the Ministry of Communications. The ten-year permission and the one-year rollout clock both run from the WOL date. Your technical consultants prepare the frequency case. We coordinate the paperwork so the two approvals move in step.
What if we cannot start services within a year?
You lose half your bank guarantee. If services do not start within one year of the WOL, ₹20 crore is forfeited. If they still have not started within two years, the other ₹20 crore goes too. That is why we plan the filing backwards from your realistic launch date. A realistic schedule protects both guarantees.
Are the HITS rules changing?
A change has been proposed. The draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, were opened for comments until 2 October 2026. The draft keeps ₹10 crore net worth for HITS and lets legacy holders migrate. Nothing changes until the Centre notifies the rules, and we will update you when that happens.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Government charges: one-time non-refundable entry fee of ₹10 crore through Bharatkosh, and two performance bank guarantees of ₹20 crore each (₹40 crore total), valid for three years. WPC licence charges are separate.
Ready to begin?
Share your shareholding, latest audited accounts and launch plan, and we will map out your HITS application step by step.