Tata Sky comes under MRTPC lens again over channel pricing
28 Aug, 2008
NEW DELHI : Direct-to-Home operator TataSky has come under scrutiny of fair trade regulator MRTPC again over its pricing of channels.
The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has directed its investigative wing Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to look into a complaint against TataSky over its pricing policy, sources said.
It has been alleged that the firm, an 80:20 joint venture between Tata and broadcasting major Star India, had 'promised' that it would add new channels in its package without any further cost, which it did not keep.
According to the sources, the complaint against the DTH operator is that it either gradually removed some channels such as ETC Punjabi or asked to pay extra for channels like ESPN and Star Sports.
The complainant alleged that the company on the eve of Indo-Sri Lanka test made Ten Sports, which has the exclusive telecast rights, a pay channel and directed the viewers to pay additional money to view that channel.
It further submitted that any such additional demand is 'Unfair Trade Practice" under the MRTP Act.
The Commission has directed DGIR to file its probe report within three months, the sources added.
Now, the DGIR is expected to issue probe notices to TataSky seeking informations and other details, including pricing of its packages.
Already a similar matter is pending before the commission over allegation of removing some channels from its basic package by TataSky.
Admitting a petition by Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE), the Commission had issued notice to TataSky in July.
TataSky comes under MRTPC lens again over channel pricing- Media-Media / Entertainment -News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
28 Aug, 2008
NEW DELHI : Direct-to-Home operator TataSky has come under scrutiny of fair trade regulator MRTPC again over its pricing of channels.
The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has directed its investigative wing Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to look into a complaint against TataSky over its pricing policy, sources said.
It has been alleged that the firm, an 80:20 joint venture between Tata and broadcasting major Star India, had 'promised' that it would add new channels in its package without any further cost, which it did not keep.
According to the sources, the complaint against the DTH operator is that it either gradually removed some channels such as ETC Punjabi or asked to pay extra for channels like ESPN and Star Sports.
The complainant alleged that the company on the eve of Indo-Sri Lanka test made Ten Sports, which has the exclusive telecast rights, a pay channel and directed the viewers to pay additional money to view that channel.
It further submitted that any such additional demand is 'Unfair Trade Practice" under the MRTP Act.
The Commission has directed DGIR to file its probe report within three months, the sources added.
Now, the DGIR is expected to issue probe notices to TataSky seeking informations and other details, including pricing of its packages.
Already a similar matter is pending before the commission over allegation of removing some channels from its basic package by TataSky.
Admitting a petition by Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE), the Commission had issued notice to TataSky in July.
TataSky comes under MRTPC lens again over channel pricing- Media-Media / Entertainment -News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
