Zee Turner likely to switch off 33 channels on Hathway Networks across India due to continuous default by Hathway to Zee Turner!
Tuesday February 09, 2010 , 4 min Read
Hathway Networks suffer action for payment default
Zee Turner likely to switch off 33 channels on Hathway networks across India
9th February, Mumbai: Popular channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO, Zee Marathi, Zee Kannada, Zee Telugu, Zee Café, Zee Studio and many more to go off air across networks of Hathway Datacomm Limited including cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore due to continuous default by Hathway on its payments to Zee Turner. Additionally, Hathway has been avoiding signing the agreement for airing these 33 channels despite numerous efforts by Zee Turner and now being overdue by almost 10 months. Zee Turner is the largest TV channel distribution company in the country with 33 channels in its portfolio.
As per the prescribed law, Hathway is to sign its agreements with Zee Turner for availing of the services of the 33 channels on expiry of the previous one. Most of these agreements expired in March 2009 and ever since, despite numerous efforts by Zee Turner, Hathway has not come forward to sign the agreements. Additionally, Hathway networks owe Zee Turner an amount of over Rs. 28 crores which is nearly 6 months overdue. It is highly unlikely that the consumers of Hathway are not paying them money for so long. In the Red Herring Prospectus filed with authorities, they have mentioned that the total number of subscribers with them is nearly 2 million (also advertising that they have 8 million subscribers) whereas for the cable business they have declared only about 4 lacs, thus concealing a large portion of their subscriber base. Additionally, despite communication sent, they have not reverted to Zee Turner on signing the agreement for digital transmission for which they have claimed 6 lacs subscribers for which they have been avoiding declaring these subs to Zee Turner. Hon’ble TRAI has written a letter to MSOs including Hathway on 2nd February 2010 to seek their response.
All this forced Zee Turner to take the extreme step of giving a public notice to ensure that the defaulter makes good. Despite the 21 days notice of 15th January 2010, Zee Turner has exercised restraint in the interest of consumers, but Hathway has been avoiding to resolve the issue. Zee Turner is forced to look at the option of switching off the networks to protect the interest of its stakeholders which has been stretched beyond normal terms of business.
Zee Turner urges the viewers to ask their cable operators for resumption of these channels after switch off or deduct money for not showing the biggest bouquet of channels. They also can urge their cable operators to take the channels from other MSOs in the city or choose DTH connections. Consumers also have the right to approach governmental authorities like Nodal officers in the State and TRAI to share their grievances, if any at [email protected]
About Zee-Turner
Zee Turner Ltd. is a joint venture between two renowned media giants - Essel group and Turner International. The company was incorporated in February 2002 with an objective to manage the distribution & trade marketing for pay channels. It offers this grand combination of Zee, Turner and third party channel bouquet to the customers in Indian sub-continent and also to some of the neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
Presently, Zee Turner Limited brings you the largest network of 33 channels, showing programmes in the widest range of 19 genres. From general entertainment, drama, news & current affairs, movies, to reality shows, talent hunts, kid's entertainment and all kind of music, providing you the endless & unmatched variety of entertainment. Some of the most popular and best of the channels being offered by the broadcaster include Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO, Zee Studio, Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Cafe, Zee News, Zee Business etc
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Tanya Singh
Zee Turner Ltd.
Tel : 0120-6766481
Mob : 9910085036
Email : [email protected] /
Or Jayshree Kumar, Zee Network-Mumbai, 9769286661 / [email protected];