Govt issues notice to ESPN for DTH pricing norm violation

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Govt issues notice to ESPN for DTH pricing norm violation
9 Sep, 2008

NEW DELHI: The government has issued a show-cause notice to sports broadcaster ESPN asking it explain why its downlinking licence should not be revoked for violating guidelines on pricing plan for Direct-To-Home operators.

Highly placed sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the broadcaster, which has three channels-- ESPN, Start Sports and Star Cricket-- has been given 15 days time to respond.

When contacted, ESPN India officials declined to comment. The sources said the decision comes in the wake of TRAI recommendation to the ministry seeking suspension of the sport broadcaster's downlinking licence over the issue.

"TRAI had issued certain directive over pricing of channels offered to DTH operators. The company did not adhere to the norms laid down by the government, which led to the issue of the notice," sources added.

TRAI had even moved the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate against ESPN for non-compliance of its directives. A city court today issued summons to the top officials of the company to appear before it on November 27.

The broadcast regulator had filed a case last month seeking prosecution of sports broadcaster ESPN for non-compliance of its direction on pricing plan for Direct-To-Home operators.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News...464162.cms