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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bombay HC asks TDSAT for an early hearing in Sony–Tata Play dispute
The Bombay High Court has asked the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ) to consider hearing broadcasting petitions and related applications involving Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and Tata Play ahead of schedule—preferably in the first week of July 2025. The direction came as the High Court disposed of a writ petition filed by SPNI, which sought to withdraw the matter citing the pendency of related proceedings before the TDSAT. The tribunal has currently scheduled the hearing between the two parties for July 23. The withdrawal was made without any objection from Tata Play. The order dated June 17 was uploaded today. During the hearing on June 17, senior counsel for SPNI also sought the court's permission to address consumer concerns via social media, a request to which Tata Play raised no objection. The court permitted SPNI to publish a clarifying message stating that while the dispute is sub judice, its channels remain available on Tata Play, both on an a-la-carte basis and as part of its bouquets. Customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number to activate these channels. Live Events The bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale, clarified that all legal rights and contentions of the parties are kept open and remain unaffected by the withdrawal of the petition. SPNI had approached the High Court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, either directly or indirectly. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam. The dispute pertains to the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play, which has around 18 million subscribers. Following the disagreement, Tata Play started removing SPNI channels from its consumer packs following which the broadcaster started running scrolls on its channels urging viewers to switch to other operators for continued access to its channels. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH service provider . The tribunal had earlier clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, which directed SPNI to remove on-screen scrolls referring to Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play, in turn, was directed to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore towards the broadcaster's dues. Earlier, the High Court had issued notices to both TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter, initially scheduled for hearing on June 16, was adjourned to June 17. In its submissions to TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid around Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bombay High Court disposes of Sony's plea against TDSAT order in dispute with Tata Play
The Bombay High Court has disposed of the petition filed by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and directed the company to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal ( TDSAT ) for any relief in its dispute with direct-to-home (DTH) platform Tata Play over renewal of their annual agreement. A division bench comprising justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Kedar Gokhale, in an oral order, advised the Sony Group company to take the matter to the appellate tribunal, which adjudicates broadcasting-related disputes. The TDSAT reconvenes after vacation on July 1. The tribunal had earlier issued an interim order and adjourned the case to July 23. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025년 가장 멋진 RPG 게임을 지금 정복하세요 레이드 섀도우 레전드 Undo The high court's detailed order had not been uploaded till press time. The court allowed SPNI to respond to consumer queries on social media by stating that the dispute with Tata Play is pending before the TDSAT and that SPNI channels remain available on Tata Play, both a-la-carte and through SPNI's channel bouquets. To activate these channels, customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number. Live Events SPNI had approached the high court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, whether directly or indirectly. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam. Both SPNI and Tata Play declined to comment on the matter. The dispute pertains to a disagreement over the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play. The latter, which has around 18 million subscribers, had removed the channels from its consumer packs following the dispute. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH services provider. The tribunal had clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, in which SPNI was directed to remove scrolls against Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play was asked to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore against the broadcaster's dues. Earlier, the high court had issued notices to TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter was scheduled for a hearing on June 16 but was adjourned to June 17. In its submissions to the TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid about Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
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.
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Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
DTH firms under pressure as govt demands Rs 16,000 cr as licence fees
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued notices demanding Rs 16,000 crore from four private direct-to-home (DTH) companies for unpaid licence fees — a move that is likely to hurt the struggling sector, The Economic Times reported on Friday. The notices demanded principal dues and accumulated interest from Bharti Telemedia (parent of Airtel Digital TV), Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky), Dish TV and Sun Direct. Industry representatives have told the Ministry the demand is not enforceable as the matter is before High Courts, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal and the Supreme Court. Tax demand exceeds FY24 revenue The ministry's demand exceeds the four companies' combined FY24 revenue of Rs 10,230 crore, which is a 5 per cent decline from Rs 10,837 crore they earned in FY23. The sector lost eight million subscribers between FY21 and FY24. As of December 2024, the active pay DTH subscriber base was reported at 58.22 million. Final figures subject to changes, says MIB In its communications to the companies, the ministry said that the final figures are provisional and subject to reconciliation based on the outcomes of ongoing audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General and pending court verdicts. Dish TV, in its Q4 FY25 regulatory filing, said it had received a directive from the ministry on April 22 to pay Rs 6,735 crore in licence fees, including interest for the period from the issuance of its DTH licence through FY24. The company has formally disputed the demand. As of FY24, Tata Play has received a cumulative demand of Rs 3,628 crore, including Rs 1,401.66 crore in interest. Meanwhile, Sun Direct was issued a demand of Rs 1,051.84 crore, excluding interest, as of March 2024. SC upholds states' right to levy entertainment tax Compounding the industry's financial woes, the Supreme Court on May 23 upheld the constitutional validity of entertainment taxes imposed by state governments on cable and DTH television services. The court ruled that states have the legislative right to tax the entertainment aspect of these services, even if the broadcasting function is already covered under the Centre's service tax regime. Appeals by DTH operators rejected The Supreme Court dismissed appeals by leading DTH providers including Tata Sky, Dish TV, and Sun Direct, who had contested various state entertainment tax laws. The companies argued that the taxes were unconstitutional due to the Centre's existing service tax on broadcasting. The court, however, upheld the states' authority to impose such levies.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DTH cos asked to pay ₹16,000 crore licence fee dues
MUMBAI: The ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued demand notices totalling ₹16,000 crore to the country's four private direct to home (DTH) operators over outstanding licence fees, industry sources told ET, potentially compounding problems for an industry battling dwindling revenues and subscriber losses to OTT platforms and DD Free demands cover both the principal amount and accrued interest on the dues, said the officials cited above. They said that the operators have communicated to the government that the notices cannot be enforced, as the matter is sub judice in various High Courts, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), and the Supreme Court. Dish TV CEO Manoj Dobhal acknowledged the pressures facing the sector. "The DTH industry is navigating a difficult phase, with factors such as subscriber churn driven by competition from OTT platforms and DD Free Dish, along with taxation and regulatory issues,' Dobhal said. 'Given these challenges, we would have hoped for a more supportive approach from the authorities." To be sure, the licence fee demand is more than the combined revenue of the four private DTH operators, which stood at ₹10,230 crore in FY24, down 5% from ₹10,837 crore the previous year, as per regulatory filings. In its correspondence, the ministry said the figures are subject to reconciliation based on the outcome of audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), as well as pending court decisions. In its Q4 FY25 regulatory filing, Dish TV disclosed that it had received a communication from the ministry dated 22 April 2025, directing the company to pay ₹6,735 crore toward licence fees, including interest, covering the period from the grant of its DTH licence up to FY24. The company added that it has disputed the demand in its response. As of FY24, Tata Play has received a consolidated demand of ₹3,628 crore, including ₹1,401.66 crore in interest. Sun Direct has received a demand of ₹1,051.84 crore (excluding interest) as of March 2024. As of March 2025, Dish TV had made a provision of ₹4,612 crore towards licence fee dues. Tata Play had provisioned approximately ₹2,002 crore and recognised a further ₹2,280 crore as a contingent liability. Bharti Airtel had made provisions of about ₹3,426 crore as of 31 March 2024. Bharti Telemedia, Tata Play and Sun Direct declined to comment on the matter. A senior DTH executive added that the ministry has raised similar demands in the past even when legal disputes remain unresolved. 'DTH operators have repeatedly urged the ministry to exclude pass-through costs, such as content expenses, from the licence fee calculations and to address the issue of double taxation. However, these concerns are yet to be addressed,' the executive said. The DTH industry lost 8 million subscribers between FY21 and FY24. The active pay DTH subscriber base stood at 58.22 million, as of December 2024. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has, on two occasions, recommended phasing out the DTH licence fee by the end of FY27. Since 2020, TRAI has issued 17 recommendations aimed at reforming the broadcasting sector. The ministry of information and broadcasting has historically calculated the licence fee as 10% of gross revenue, without deductions. However, in 2020, it amended the DTH guidelines to set the licence fee at 8% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR).
