Mumbai: Tata Sky has removed 32 channels of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and three from the India Today Network due to differences over pricing of channels distributed by SPN.Due to this over 16 million subscribers of Tatasky will be denied access to popular TV channels that are being distributed by SPN that includes Sony Entertainment Television, SAB, Max, AXN, Sony Pix, AajTak and India Today TV effective from 1st October.
Calling the Tata Sky decision “unfortunate” – Statement issued by SPN said, ”By unilaterally dropping the SPN channels, Tata Sky is depriving its viewers of the opportunity to watch world-class entertainment and live sporting action. Further, by compelling existing subscribers to give separate “missed” calls even to continue watching the SPN channels they have already paid for, Tata Sky is not acting in consumer interest,”
We would like to reassure Tata Sky subscribers that the SPN channels are available under the TRAI mandated Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO). All they have to do is call Tata Sky and demand that the channels be provided to them,” the statement added.
Apparently, Tata Sky has kept 10 SPN channels (SET, SET HD, Sony SAB, MAX, Sony Six, Sony Ten 1, Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Ten 3 and Pix HD) and one India Today channel (AajTak) on the platform. But to add these channels also, subscribers have to give a missed call on a specific number.
“Commercial negotiations with the broadcasters broke down as what they were seeking would have forced us to hike our prices. Hence we have had to drop a few channels while keeping the popular ones on. We request our subscribers’ to bear with us, as we are doing this in their best interest”, said Harit Nagpal, CEO & MD of Tata Sky
Bone of contention is Tata Sky’s subscriber base has increased from 10 million, to 16 million over a period of Three years and SPN is eyeing a higher share of revenue from Tata Sky, which the later is not ready to pay.
