Direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Play has begun removing TV channels of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) from the subscription plans of about 10 million users in a phased manner as part of a streamlining measure, which the broadcaster has described as “arbitrary”.
While streamlining channel packs is not an unusual practice in broadcasting and distribution, this is the first time, said experts, that a large network such as Sony was at the receiving end of it. Smaller broadcasters and niche TV channels are often evicted from DTH and cable platforms as part of a churning exercise based on viewership, media experts said, aimed at managing the long tail of channels.
On Thursday, Tata Play began with the removal of SPNI’s channels from plans of nearly 1 million subscribers and said it will continue to undertake this process over the next 10 days.
In a statement, Harit Nagpal, MD and CEO, Tata Play, said the company was removing “less-watched” channels to “reduce charges”.
“Our analysis, supported by BARC data, reveals that most subscribers have four or more times the number of channels than they actively watch. Due to lack of return path data, it is not possible to track who’s watching and who’s not. Consequently, we are removing less-watched channels and adjusting monthly charges accordingly,” Nagpal said.
He added that subscribers who wish to watch these channels can easily reinstate any of these removed channels by giving a missed call.
“At least 75% of customers whose packs have been modified will benefit from the reduced charges,” Nagpal said.
Sony said Tata Play’s decision had taken it by surprise. “SPNI has recently become aware of Tata Play’s surprising decision to remove Sony channels from the bouquets of nearly 10 million subscribers. This arbitrary decision seems to have been made without any notice to SPNI or apparent consideration for their subscribers’ preferences. We believe it is a retaliation to exercising our audit rights on Tata Play’s subscriber management system, in which we have observed and communicated certain glaring discrepancies to Tata Play over the past few years,” it stated.
“The narrative built by Tata Play of “loss of viewership” is clearly misleading. We are confident that our loyal viewers, who value diverse and high-quality content, will continue to find our channels through other platforms nationwide, ” Sony said.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
