Our eFE Bureau

Mumbai, June 11: Star Network, with its bouquet of seven channels, has decided to cease telecast on the Hinduja-run InCablenet in Mumbai. According to Star’s official press statement, this decision has been taken in view of large outstandings by InCablenet.

This amount, claims Star, has been outstanding for the last three months. Star says this has remained so despite repeated reminders over the last three months.According to Star, Incablenet pays for less than 10 per cent of its subscriber base. The network claims to have a subscriber base of 1.5 million at this stage. The allegation by Star is that this subscriber base has been the same over the last six years.

“The stalemate has been a combination of the money which has not been paid and the claimed subscriber base,” said Star’s official spokesperson. Star has clarified that the other parts of Mumbai that are covered by other cable operators will remain unaffected.

When contacted, InCablenet executive vice-chairman Ram Hingorani said this was part of a conspiracy by Star. “Star has clearly committed a breach of the contract which they had signed with us,” he said.

Mr Hingorani explained that the issues have come up for discussion after the agreement was signed. He added that his company has filed a case on the grounds of breach of agreement in the Bombay High Court.
According to Mr Hingorani, InCablenet may be forced to resort to the MRTP for action if the issue is not resolved. “Star is just capitalising on the success of Star Plus,” he said.