MUMBAI: Indian direct-to-home (DTH) television operator Tata Sky returned to showing channels by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) on 6 December after the two companies have signed a new contract that has ended their two-month deadlock, Television Post reports.
Tata Sky and Sony have had many differences over commercial terms ever since their previous contract expired on 31 July this year. As a result, Sony’s 22 out of 29 channels were taken off and placed on an ‘a-la-carte’ basis, which could have had an adverse impact on the sports’ broadcaster’s viewership numbers for the ongoing India’s cricket tour of Australia.
The operator conditionally retained some Sony channels in its bouquet for customers who had already paid the subscription fee.
“Tata Sky has all Sony channels on the platform. There will be no extra charges. You can continue to enjoy your choice of entertainment as always. Thank you for your support and cooperation,” Tata Sky had replied to a tweet from a subscriber.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) had ordered the two companies to resolve their differences in the second week of November. This was after Sony had moved to court against Tata Sky’s decision to provide only 10 Sony channels under the reference interconnect offer (RIO) agreement.
Reportedly, Sony had quoted a whopping Rs. 17 billion as subscription fees for a multi-year deal with the DTH operator.
