First On Net: Star Sports switches off signal to GTPL
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16-11-2013, 09:20 AM
Post: #1
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Star Sports switches off signal to GTPL
MUMBAI: Even as millions of viewers across the country were glued to their television sets watching cricket legend Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar bat for the one last time in an international cricket match, many viewers in Gujarat were going through a different predicament as sportscaster Star Sports switched off signals of its sports channels to Gujarat Telelinks Pvt Ltd (GTPL), the state’s leading MSO.
Star Sports India has switched off signals of its channels in analogue as well as digital mode after issuing the mandatory public notice on 19 October to intimate GTPL subscribers about the switch-off. The reason for the current stand-off between Star Sports and GTPL is the latter’s inability to pay monthly subscription fee. Despite repeated reminders, GTPL failed to pay up compelling Star Sports to switch off signals. “We entered into an agreement with GTPL last year in the month of November under which they were required to pay to us a monthly payment for availing the services of Star Sports network channels. However, GTPL has consistently failed to pay us the monthly subscription fees even though they have been collecting money from the ground,” Star Sports India COO Vijay Rajput said. “As of date, GTPL has a huge accumulated outstanding which cannot be ignored. A part payment cheque against outstanding by GTPL was dishonoured in the month of July earlier this year. We were constrained to initiate proceedings under sec 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against GTPL,” Rajput added. Rajput asserts that the MSO was given sufficient time by the broadcaster to clear outstanding dues before switching off signals. “Despite repeated reminders and requests for payment of our outstanding dues, GTPL did not pay heed. We were constrained to issue a disconnection notice to GTPL as well as a public notice in accordance with the TRAI Regulations on 19th October 2013. GTPL were afforded sufficient time by us to clear its outstanding dues and avoid disconnection. However, they chose not to do so and are, therefore, solely responsible for the disconnection,” he added. GTPL COO Shaji Matthews, though, says that Star Sports’ decision to switch off signals reflects a vindictive mindset. According to him, GTPL was in negotiations with Star Sports to break the deadlock but the latter went ahead and issued the switch off notice. He also stated that GTPL is willing to clear any outstanding amount that is due to the sportscaster. Mathew also said that the sportscasters’ accusation against GTPL of not sharing subscriber report in the public notice does not hold ground. “They have alleged in the public notice that we have not shared subscriber report with them. But the question of sharing subscriber report does not arise as we have done a fixed fee deal. The question of sharing subscriber report would have arisen had we done a CPS (cost per subscriber) deal,” he averred. Read more at: http://www.televisionpost.com/television...l-to-gtpl/ | TelevisionPost.com |
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16-11-2013, 10:37 AM
Post: #2
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RE: Star Sports switches off signal to GTPL
Bad news...
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