TATT: Rights required for U.S. channels on local cable line-ups to protect National Trade Agreements
December 3rd, 2025 | Related To: Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT)
The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (the Authority) has been working with the Intellectual Property Office, the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and local subscription television broadcasters (cable providers) to ensure that content carried over the local cable television networks complies with required Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
The Authority wishes to advise the public that cable TV providers have been mandated by the Authority to obtain the required IP rights to carry the U.S. free-to-air stations ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. If cable TV providers have not obtained the required IP rights, they must remove the stations from their channel line-ups over a one (1) year period, with one (1) station being regularised every 4 months starting December 30, 2025. The public is advised that cable providers also have the prerogative to remove each station prior to the date by which the rights for that station should be acquired.
Background
Since 2015, TATT has refrained from taking action against cable TV providers while working with local providers and international stakeholders to secure broadcast rights for these channels. Despite extensive discussions with U.S. agencies and the networks themselves, authorisation to broadcast these specific stations is not yet available. The United States Trade Representative has indicated that broadcasting these channels without obtaining the necessary authorisation violates U.S. intellectual property laws.
Why This Matters
Failure to comply with IPR obligations could negatively impact Trinidad and Tobagoﾕs trade reputation and global partnerships. TATT remains committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that all content broadcast locally meets legal requirements.
Impact on Viewers
The phased schedule to secure the rights for the channels is as follows:
- FOX – Rights must be obtained by 30th December 2025
- NBC – Rights must be obtained by 30th April 2026
- ABC – Rights must be obtained by 31st August 2026
- CBS – Rights must be obtained by 30th December 2026
Compliance and Enforcement
All cable TV providers operate under a subscription television broadcasting service concession agreement with the Government.
Broadcasting without proper rights breaches this agreement. TATT will take appropriate action under the Telecommunications Act, Chap. 47:31 against any provider that fails to comply.
Customers with questions about pricing or channel packages should contact their cable TV provider directly.
For further information, please contact Ms. Sherry McMillan, Executive Officer, Corporate Communications at 675-8288 ext. 368; 778 8095 or at [email protected].
