Mumbai: Times Network has went ahead and openly appealed to its viewers, who happened to be subscribing its channels through Hathway Cable Network, to either demand for its channels or deduct the proportionate amount from monthly subscription fee against the block-out of its Channels feed.
In a desperate move to find a solution to the stand-off with MSO – Hathway, Times Network has asked the 10,000+ employees of Times Group to use their personal emails and reach out to mass contacts and expose the arbitrary act of the Cable Network. In his open mail written to all its employees across India, Ashish Jain – the General Manager – Network Distribution, Operations, Planning and Strategy for Times Network has accused that Carriage fee demands made by Hathway Cable Network were unreasonable and illogical.
The email circulated to the employees across Times Network states that “Hathway Cable has abruptly switched off Times Network channels to create pressure on us to meet their unreasonable and usurious demands of carriage fees. Our channels Movies Now, Romedy Now, MNX ,Zoom Times Now, ET Now and Mirror Now are either displaced from their original position or switched off”.
The email also pleaded for the support of the subscribers and added, “We are seeking support from all Hathway subscribers. If you receive Hathaway signal at home, we request you to call Hathway call centre and demand to reinstate your favourite channel as you pay monthly subscription to your cable operator which is inclusive of Times Network channels. In case they are unwilling/ unable, you can ask for a discount in your monthly subscription fee”.
“Your support will go a long way in being able to contain this threat and help reinstate the services at reasonable terms” added the email from Ashish Jain.
Earlier, Hathway Digital Cable TV has switched off the signals of all Times Network Channels effective from 10th January onwards owing to a disagreement between the parties on performing an existing agreement.
Due to this reach of Times Network Channels across Key Markets like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore where affected. The estimated loss of reach across India or the number of affected homes will be around 10 million households.
