Face-off over rate revision: DTH players oppose Star’s move ahead of IPL 2018

Even as Star India gears up for Indian Premiere League (IPL) Season 11, which commences from April 7, there are disputes emerging over Star’s decision to hike its channel rates, which as per media reports are in the range of around 40 per cent. 

DTH operators Airtel Digital TV and Dish TV have opposed this rate revision and have called it unjustified. Both DTH players are not ready to hike their subscription rates for consumers due to Star revising its channel rates. 

As is known, Star India had won Vivo IPL’s global media and digital broadcast rights for the five year period from 2018 to 2022 with a consolidated bid of Rs 16,347.50 crore. 

Star is aiming to reach out to 700 million viewers for Vivo IPL 2018 across geographies, leveraging the combined reach of digital and TV through its 10 channels in six different languages. 

Earlier in March, a ticker was running on Airtel Digital TV stating that the Star channels could go off air if the DTH service provider did not renew the contract. Following this, Bharti Airtel approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and got a stay on the disconnection of channels till the matter was resolved. With the matter still under review, TDSAT’s stay order prevents Star from taking its channels off air when the IPL begins. 

Adgully reached out to Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV and Star India via e-mail seeking clarity on this issue. However, no response was received till the time of publishing this report.