The TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) has taken a serious view of continued bar on telecast of TV9 programmes in Telangana and favours cancellation of licences of multiple-system operators (MSOs) for refusing to air the programmes.

The seven-page order, however, falls short of giving directions to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to cancel the licences and asked the Solicitor General of India on the issue. It fears disruption of services to people if their licences are cancelled.

The MSOs, who control the telecast of TV channels through the cable system in cities and villages, have barred the TV channel from airing its signals from June 16, following a derogatory programme that ridiculed the legislators. (Another Telugu channel ABN Andhrajyothi too is facing a similar curb.)

The issue is also under the scrutiny of the Speaker of Telangana Assembly.

The MSOs told the tribunal that they might be attacked by the angry public if they revoked the ban. Taking cognizance of the threat, the tribunal had asked the State government to give protection to the MSOs as it called for resumption of telecasting.

“We are conscious that it may have grave consequences as the people of Telangana may be deprived of viewing television through cable medium. Hence before giving any such directions, we would like to have the opinion of Solicitor General,” the Tribunal order given on October 14 said.

It asked the Solicitor General to come out with its opinion on October 29. Associated Broadcasting Company, which promotes TV9, moved the tribunal against the actions of Hathway Cable, Datacom and Siti Vision Digital Media, which virtually have the monopoly on the cable TV system in the State. It moved the tribunal again for execution orders.

The cable TV system dominates the content distribution with over 80 per cent of all the viewers hooking on to the channels using this medium.

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