Sun TV moves TDSAT on Trai directive on MSO feed

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New Delhi, Jan 4 : Broadcaster Sun Tv on Friday approached broadcast tribunal TDSAT against sectoral regulator Trai's directive to provide feed to multi system operators on a pick and choose basis.

Admitting the petition, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal sought a reply from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India within a week. In its petition, Sun TV has raised objections on Trai's method of fixing tariffs for such a distribution of channel feed and has requested for quashing the fees. During the proceeding, Sun TV condoned the delay in filing the petition as the due date for implementation of Trai directive was in December last year. Other major broadcasters including Zee-Turner, Star India and Set Discovery have already filed their petition challenging the Trai October 4 circular. In their petition, the broadcasters had alleged that the price fixation by Trai is "arbitrary and discriminatory".

Passing a regulation on October 4, the sectoral regulator has directed broadcasters to provide their channels to multi system operators on 'a la carte' (pick and chose) basis.

On December 11, TDSAT declined to stay the Trai regulation. It also allowed two MSOs, Hathway Cable and Indusind Media to be impleaded in the matter as parties.

TDSAT has posted the matter for January 15, when the petition filed by Zee-Turner, Star India and Set Discovery, is being listed for hearing.