New Delhi: The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has given a period of four weeks time to Sony Pictures Networks and Tata Sky to amicably reach out to a solution to the issue where SPN has served a disconnection notice to Tata Sky when talks for a negotiated agreement did not yield any fruitful solution.
As licenced service providers, both the parties, Sony Pictures Networks and Tata Sky had executed an Interconnect Agreement between themselves, which spent its force by efflux of time on 31.07.2018. Subsequently when the negotiations for renewal did not reach a consensus through notice dated 07.09.2018, whereas as per the old terms Sony was getting Rs.800 crores(may be approximate) and negotiations failed as the demand was for Rs.1700 croresdespite losing the telecast rights of IPL Matches.
Sony served a disconnection notice to Tata Sky to disconnect the signals of its channels to the latter’s platform after 21 days of the notice. This notice was followed by public notice dated 10.09.2018.
After a close discussion Tata Sky had opted for a RIO based agreement with effect from midnight of 30.09.2018 where it limited its acceptance of the offer as per RIO to 10 channels only out of a total of 32 channels of Sony Networks.
The interim prayer issued by TDSAT stated, “to direct the parties to enter into negotiations for a period of at least four weeks. This prayer is with a view to enable the parties to enter into fresh negotiations so as to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement based on negotiations. Generally this Tribunal has been giving such opportunity to the parties even when they have been availing signals on RIO terms. Hence, in terms of interim prayers, we direct both the parties to sit across the table and try to work out a mutually acceptable negotiated agreement within a period of four weeks from today. If required. The parties may seek extension of this period. However, on careful consideration of the entire facts and circumstances.the interim prayer (B) is declined.”
In view of the above discussion, let this matter be listed under the same heading on 19.11.2018 for considering the outcome of the fresh round of negotiations which the parties are to carry out in the meantime. If required. The direction for reply etc. may be issued on the next date.”
