TATT Public Advisory: Changes To Cable TV Channel Line-Ups

From 30th December, 2025, cable providers in Trinidad and Tobago must comply with Intellectual Property (IP) requirements for United States free-to-air stations (FOX, NBC, ABC and CBS).

In a Public Advisory, the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) said it 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 TV providers) to ensure that content carried over the local cable television networks complies with required IP rights.

The Authority said it “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 regularized every four (4) months, starting 30th December, 2025 in the following order - FOX, NBC, ABC and then CBS.”

The public is advised that cable TV providers also have the prerogative to remove each station prior to the date by which the rights for that station should be acquired.

What does this mean for viewers?

You will not be able to view channels which your cable TV provider has not acquired the rights to broadcast. Broadcasters must acquire the required IP rights to include these specific stations in their channel line-up.

Trinidad and Tobago is a signatory to intellectual property treaties and agreements which require adherence to intellectual property rights. This means that this country has given a commitment to ensuring that local cable TV providers can only show what they have the right to broadcast.

TATT is advising customers with questions about pricing or channel packages to contact their cable TV provider directly.

Please be guided accordingly.