TDSAT dismisses TV Vision's plea against TataSky

NEW DELHI: Broadcast tribunal TDSAT today dismissed the petition of TV Vision, promoters of the music channel 'Mastiii', seeking to direct Direct-to-Home operator TataSky to carry the channel on their platform.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal was of the view that TV Vision should approach sectoral regulator TRAI or Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry for such issues.

"In that view of the matter too no relief as has been prayed for by the Petitioner (TV Vision) can be granted.

"Moreover, I am of the opinion that the remedy of a broadcaster in a situation of this nature, if any, is either to file a complaint before the TRAI or the licensor (I&B Ministry). For the reasons aforementioned, there is no merit in this petition, which is dismissed accordingly," said the TDSAT bench headed by Justice S B Sinha.

Earlier, in May this year passing an interim order, TDSAT had gave a go-ahead to TataSky to add new channels on its platform.

TV Vision had requested that till the pendency of its plea, TataSky should be refrained from adding any new channel and a slot for 'Mastiii' should be kept empty.

TV Vision had also alleged that TataSky has been refusing its request to beam the channel 'Mastiii' from its DTH platform on the ground of capacity constraints.

TV Vision contended that TataSky's refusal to beam the channel 'Mastiii' was in violation of clause 7.6 of the DTH licence conditions that mandates TataSky to provide access to various content providers/channels on a non-discriminatory basis.