TDSAT: Star Den provide Star India channels to Dish TV

[Prathamesh]

The Telecom Disputes and Settlements Appellate (TDSAT) passed an interim order directing the distributors Star Den to provide their television channel feed to the Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) service platform of Dish TV India Limited.

This interim measure was in response to a petition filed by DISH TV India Limited, an Essel Group company, against Star Den Media Services Private Limited who were denying their feed to the HITS service. Star Den distributes the Star group of channels.

The interim order further directs Star Den to supply activated decoders of all their channels on or before October 23, 2008.In the Dish TV's petition before TDSAT, there is also the application of CAS rates for the HITS platform.

Wire & Wireless India Ltd (WWIL), which is one of the largest cable companies in the country, has about 70 lakh analogue cable subscribers and about 2.5 lakh digital cable subscribers at the moment. WWIL is planning to launch its HITS service soon as the TDSAT has directed Star Den to supply its group of channels to the multi-system operator (MSO).

WWIL will, however, have to take the channels at the RIO (reference interconnect offer) rates and terms that Star Den has filed with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

"We were willing to give WWIL the channels at RIO rates for their HITS platform," says Star Den CEO Gurjeev Singh Kapoor.

While passing the interim order, Justice Arun Kumar, chairman, TDSAT, said, "Star Den will supply signals of its channels to WWIL on both a la carte and bouquet RIO rates. Star Den will also provide activated decoders to the MSO by 23 October 2008."Star Den distributes the Star and Network18 group of channels.

The counsel for WWIL (petitioner) argued that the rates for Conditional Access System (CAS) areas should be fixed at Rs 5 while the rates for non-CAS areas should be fixed at the DTH price (according to which prices of channels have been fixed at 50 per cent of analogue cable rates). Star Den counsel said that it is ready to give the supply of its signals to WWI at the DTH RIO rates. The case has been listed for hearing on November 28.