MUMBAI: After weeks of trading charges, Star India and Airtel Digital TV has reached agreement. The move ensures that the DTH operator’s subscribers will continue to get access to the network’s channels, which includes, in particular, telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Star Sports.
“Airtel Digital subscribers will continue to get uninterrupted access to all of Star’s programmes including Vivo IPL, following an agreement reached between Star and Airtel. Both parties would like to assure their subscribers that the two companies are committed to bringing more and more high-quality content and experience to their consumers, the two parties said in a joint statement.
Star India had on 15 February issued a disconnection notice to Airtel Digital TV parent company Bharti Telemedia for non-signing of the subscription agreement, non-payment of subscription fees and non-submission of subscribers’ reports.
The earlier agreement between Star and Airtel had expired on 31 October but the network had continued its feed while negotiations were in progress.
After serving the disconnection notice, Star made announcements on its network that while Airtel was charging as much as Rs 1,000 for its channels, viewers could watch it at Rs 200 if they switched to other providers such as Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Hathway, Den, GTPL and Fastway.
In its counter, Airtel told to its subscribers: “Star network has increased tariff of its channels, which will result in higher pack prices for you. In order to protect your interests, Star network channels will be temporarily withdrawn from your packs with effect from 31st March 2018,”
It also stated that there is no truth in Star TV’s assertion that Airtel Digital TV is unilaterally increasing prices of Star TV channels across its packs.
