Sony moves Bombay HC to challenge TDSAT stay on Tata Play disconnection
Sony Pictures Networks India
(SPNI) has moved the
Bombay High Court
to challenge a recent Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order restraining SPNI from proceeding with a disconnection notice issued to direct-to-home (DTH) operator
Tata Play
.
A division bench of the court comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale on Tuesday issued notices to TDSAT and
Tata
Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Monday, June 16.
SPNI, a Sony Group Corp-owned entity operating under the legal name Culver Max Entertainment, runs 27 television channels. It issued a disconnection notice to Tata Play, the country's largest DTH operator with 18 million subscribers, after the latter decided to remove its channels from consumer packs following disagreements over the renewal of their annual subscription deal.
While staying SPNI's disconnection notice on May 27, TDSAT had directed Tata Play to pay Rs 40 crore to the broadcaster within two weeks as part-payment against SPNI's claimed dues of Rs 128 crore. The tribunal said this amount would be adjusted against the final liability determined during the final hearing.
People familiar with the dispute between the two said SPNI is seeking a fee hike, which Tata Play has resisted citing declining viewership of its channels.
TDSAT in its order noted that not granting the stay could result in irreparable harm to Tata Play. It directed both parties to reconcile their differences, including at the account level.
In the High Court, senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha & Partners, appeared for SPNI to challenge the TDSAT order. Senior counsel Ravi Kadam is representing Tata Play.
In the TDSAT, Tata Play's counsel argued that the broadcaster's demand was unjustified, claiming the company had already paid about Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade, including Rs 700 crore annually.
They further contended that substantial payments had been made since SPNI's initial communication in March 2025, which had sought dues of Rs 300 crore.
Tata Play, jointly owned by
Tata Sons
(70%) and Walt Disney (30%), reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 510 crore for FY25, up 44% from Rs 354 crore the previous year. Revenue declined 5.46% to Rs 4,082 crore, driven by subscriber losses amid increased competition from DD Free Dish and the rising popularity of OTT platforms.
SPNI reported a 19% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 839 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Revenue from operations fell 3% to Rs 6,510 crore, with advertising revenue declining 11% to Rs 2,912 crore, while subscription revenue rose 7% to Rs 3,346 crore.
According to Ashish Pyasi, partner at law firm Aendri Legal, the TDSAT resolves conflicts between telecom and broadcast companies. Its rulings can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. There is no provision for challenging the interim orders to the Supreme Court. 'However, if someone files a writ petition in the High Court against a temporary TDSAT order, they are asking the High Court to use its special powers, which is only allowed in rare cases,' adds Pyasi.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Raj Kundra: Shilpa stood by me even when it would've been easier to walk away
Recently evicted from The Traitors, , at a press meet for the reality show, laughed about playing the 'nepo-husband' card. Married to actress , Raj appeared completely at ease with his wife's celeb status. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking to Bombay Times about the male ego and power dynamics in celebrity relationships, Raj said, 'I say it with pride — Shilpa's success is our success. I've never been insecure about her spotlight. If anything, it inspires me. Real strength in a man comes from being secure enough to lift others — especially your partner — without feeling smaller in the process. That's not ego-less, that's evolved love.' 'There was anger, hurt and confusion, but also deep self-reflection' Over the last few years, Raj has faced legal and public scrutiny. In July 2021, he was arrested by the Mumbai Police for allegedly producing and distributing adult content via an app. He spent 63 days in Arthur Road Jail before being granted bail in September 2021. Reflecting on that period, he shared, 'Those were some of the darkest times of my life. There was anger, hurt and confusion, but also deep self-reflection. I could've let that chapter define me, but I chose instead to learn from it. The truth has its own timeline, and I've made peace with that. My focus now is to move forward with clarity, creativity and courage.' Raj Kundra 'My kids gave me reason to smile when I felt like disappearing' Raj's legal battle is far from over. While he remains out on bail, the case is still under trial. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating him for alleged money laundering and has reportedly attached assets worth nearly Rs 98 crore. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Such a phase, he says, tests every bond in his life. 'Some friendships vanished overnight, others got stronger than ever. But the real pain was watching my loved ones suffer because of my headlines. That guilt stays with you. And yet, the love they gave me during that storm is what saved me. You realise who your tribe is, and you never take them for granted again,' he said, adding, 'Shilpa stood by me with grace and resilience, even when it would've been easier to walk away. My kids gave me reason to smile when I felt like disappearing. That kind of unconditional support rewires your soul.' The businessman, who is also dabbling in acting, will be seen in the Punjabi film Mehar. Talking about wanting to be a part of compelling content, he said, 'I'm not chasing stardom — I'm chasing stories.'
New Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Centre flags possible tax evasion as Indian funds in Swiss banks triple to Rs 38,000 crore
Amid reports that Indian funds in Swiss banks tripled to Rs 38,000 crore in 2024, the Centre said it is closely monitoring possible tax evasion, leveraging various information exchange mechanisms with Switzerland on foreign assets and income. In a statement issued on Friday, the finance ministry said that India regularly receives information about such foreign accounts and assets from 100+ tax jurisdictions, including Switzerland. It further said that Switzerland has been providing annual financial information about Indian residents since 2018 under the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) framework. The first data transmission to Indian authorities occurred in September 2019, and the exchange has continued regularly since then, covering even those accounts suspected of involvement in financial irregularities. According to a Swiss National Bank report, money parked by Indians in Swiss banks more than tripled in 2024, reaching 3.54 billion Swiss francs, or Rs 37,600 crore. Elaborating the mechanism to check tax evasion, the finance ministry has said that the tax department regularly undertakes a systematic review of data so received and identifies taxpayers, whose cases require further verification.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Govt to set up cooperative insurance firm, two lakh new PACS: Union Minister Shah
Mumbai: Union Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah on Friday said that the cooperation ministry has taken a slew of decisions to transform the cooperative sector across the country. He announced that the government will establish a cooperative insurance company to facilitate insurance services within the cooperative sector and it will open up various new opportunities. The new entity is expected to provide tailored insurance solutions for cooperative institutions, ensuring better risk coverage and financial security. In addition, two lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) will be established, which will lead to their presence in every panchayat. The new PACS will be multidimensional and they will be able to do 22 different activities. "Apart from the present work of providing primary agricultural funds, PACS will do various works including running a petrol pump, undertake gas distribution, conduct maintenance under the 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Yojana', and do railway and air ticket bookings," he said. In his speech at the conference organised by NAFED, Union Minister Shah said that of the 71,000 PACS, nearly 52,000 have become live due to computerisation and related initiatives. He announced that the foundation laying of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University, which will work at the national level, will take place by August. 'Cooperation may be a system for the whole world, but for India, cooperation is the philosophy of our traditional way of life. Coming together, thinking together, working together towards a common goal, standing by each other in joy and sorrow — this is the soul of India's philosophy of life. "Whether it's the purchase of farmers' grains at MSP across the country or providing every poor person with 5 kilos of free grains under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, NCCF and NAFED play a crucial role in all these initiatives," he said. He added that to make the cooperative movement stronger, the government has prepared a database which will also be available at the state Registrar level. He said that to empower taxi drivers and promote cooperative entrepreneurship, Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited has been officially registered. Under the Sahakar Taxi structure, cab drivers will be direct members and co-owners as this model allows for equitable profit sharing, democratic governance, and ensures that the benefits of the platform flow directly to those who run it. Moreover, Union Minister Shah said that the government has taken a number of decisions to provide relief to the cooperative sector in the income tax regime. He added that the Centre has waived income tax worth Rs 15,000 crore payable by the cooperative sugar factories in Maharashtra and come out with a permanent solution to provide them relief.
