Yesterday, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed its order dt. 16.02.2022 directing Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) to pay 50% of the total demand of Rs. 277,51,90,451/- raised by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd (Sony) to avoid

[12/22, 14:20] sekarreporter1: 🌹
[12/22, 14:20] sekarreporter1: Yesterday, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed its order dt. 16.02.2022 directing Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) to pay 50% of the total demand of Rs. 277,51,90,451/- raised by Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt Ltd (Sony) to avoid disconnection of signals by the broadcaster in the Review/Recall Application filed by TACTV, after hearing the arguments of Mr. P Wilson, Senior Advocate arguing for TACTV assisted by Mr. Apoorv Malhotra, Advocate.
Based on an Auditor’s Report arising out of the Audit conducted under Regulation 15(2) under the Interconnection Regulations 2017, Sony had filed Broadcasting Petition No. 398 of 2021 before the TDSAT accusing TACTV for underreporting subscribers and non-disclosure of bouquet packs.
The TDSAT vide order dt. 16.02.2022 based on the observations made in the Audit Report, directed TACTV to pay 50% of the total demand of Rs. 277,51,90,451/-. For reviewing/recalling the order dt. 16.02.2022, TACTV filed MA No. 195 of 2022 stating that TACTV had deleted Sony channels from its bouquet packs and Sony was claiming subscription fees on channels which belonged to a local channel. Subsequently, TACTV filed an additional affidavit bringing on record another Audit Report arising from the Audit conducted under Regulation 15(1) under the Interconnection Regulations 2017.
Mr. P Wilson, Senior Advocate assisted by Mr. Apoorv Malhotra, Advocate appearing for TACTV argued before the Tribunal that the demand raised by Sony was inflated and TACTV is not liable to pay any demand. The observations of the 2nd Audit Report were placed before the Tribunal which recorded that Sony HD channels were removed from bouquets prior to the Audit period and the IDs created for HD channels for Sony were not in use due to which they were given to a local channel.
Recording the observations of the 2nd Audit Report, the Tribunal stayed its order dt. 16.02.2022 directing TACTV to pay 50% of the total demand of Rs. 277,51,90,451/-.