Tata Sky restores ESPN’s channels to basic package
Published on Sat, Jun 07, 2008 at 09:18 | Source : Business Line
Updated at Sat, Jun 07, 2008 at 09:39
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Tata Sky restores ESPN’s channels to basic package
Tata Sky has decided to restore ESPN’s channels to the basic package from which it had pulled out ESPN’s and BBC’s channels along with Ten Sports in a new offer launched on the first of June.
Tata Sky has decided to restore ESPN's channels to the basic package from which it had pulled out ESPN's and BBC's channels along with Ten Sports in a new offer launched on the first of June. ESPN had taken Tata Sky to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal on May 21 over its plans to dislodge these channels and offer them separately. Both the parties had also been heard by the Delhi High Court. The matter will now be heard by TDSAT in early July.
The broadcaster and DTH operator's public fallout over the latter's new subscription offer had reached its climax with ESPN airing its angst in a public notice published in national dailies yesterday. Tata Sky's explanation was that under the new offer the subscriber need not be obliged to pay for "niche content" which he could opt for separately. However, in its communication, which sold the new package as a cheaper one, the DTH operator had failed to indicate that the channels as add-on ones to the new package could cost subscribers more, unless they paid annually. Many of those who did the maths, including ESPN, didn't like the idea of the new offer being sold as a 'price reduction'. In the hearing of the contempt petition filed by ESPN, a Delhi High Court recorded the statement of Tata Sky counsel, that its client would restore ESPN's channels to the pack in a phased manner within 12 days.
The broadcaster and DTH operator's public fallout over the latter's new subscription offer had reached its climax with ESPN airing its angst in a public notice published in national dailies yesterday. Tata Sky's explanation was that under the new offer the subscriber need not be obliged to pay for "niche content" which he could opt for separately. However, in its communication, which sold the new package as a cheaper one, the DTH operator had failed to indicate that the channels as add-on ones to the new package could cost subscribers more, unless they paid annually. Many of those who did the maths, including ESPN, didn't like the idea of the new offer being sold as a 'price reduction'. In the hearing of the contempt petition filed by ESPN, a Delhi High Court recorded the statement of Tata Sky counsel, that its client would restore ESPN's channels to the pack in a phased manner within 12 days.
