The Hindu Business Line : TRAI takes ESPN to court over non-compliance

New Delhi, Aug. 6 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has filed a complaint with the chief judicial magistrate in a Delhi court against ESPN Software.

The Chairman of TRAI, Mr Nripendra Misra, said the Authority had also written to the Ministry asking that the uplinking and downlinking of ESPN’s three channels be discontinued in reaction to the broadcaster’s non-compliance of the regulations and orders.

The broadcaster had reportedly refused to offer its channels to DTH platforms at 50 per cent of the cost charged in non-CAS areas.

“All broadcasters have complied with that (order), with the exception of ESPN. We had issued a show-cause notice and given them enough time to reply and comply,” said Mr Misra.

In a statement quoting the Managing Director of ESPN Software India Private Ltd, Mr R.C. Venkateish, the company claimed it had not heard from TRAI after its response to the show-cause notice. TRAI had considered the reply unsatisfactory.

“Additionally, issues which are relevant in this matter are also pending for consideration before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, which has also been explained to TRAI. In our view, it is inappropriate to comment any further in this matter for the present. We will take further recourse for appropriate remedies if and when the need arises,” said Mr Venkateish.

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