Hathway decides not to renew contract with MSM (Sony Entertainment channels)

Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited havedecided not to renew the contract with Multi Screen Media (Sony Entertainment channels) due to theunappealing content of its channels and continued decline & inconsistency in ratings.

“Dripping ratings and average content cannot be a base for a broadcaster to take distribution platforms for a ride by demanding hefty growth year on year. Infact, it requires major correction in the subscription fees that the broadcaster charges. The concern with Sony Entertainment Television, the flagship channel of Multi Screen Media (MSM), has been witnessed over the last year wherein their content lacks appeal & demand as compared to other leading networks and does not deserve a growth, which was raised by us to the broadcaster. All the other channels in the MSM bouquet are also irrelevant and don’t offer any compelling content”, say a company spokesperson.

Recent figures reinstate the fact that the flagship channel, Sony Entertainment Television has been on the decline in all major DAS and HSM markets.
Based on the BARC ratings released for Week 31’15 (period 1-7 August 2015) for CS 4+ All India, Sony Entertainment TV stands at 5th position with only double-digit GRP of 77 compared to other leading GECs like Star Plus (197 GRP), Colors (157 GRP), Zee TV (122 GRP), Life Ok (106 GRP).

Hathway has taken a decision not to renew its contract with Multi Screen Media in DAS 2 markets where it has expired based on the above reasons. In DAS 1 markets, where the contract expires on 31st October 2015, Hathway will offer Multi Screen Media channels on ala-carte basis to the consumers and not as part of any of the packages till the expiry of the contract.

“MSM had moved to TDSAT and filed a petition against our move to shift their channels to ala-carte. We are happy to state that TDSAT dismissed MSM’s petitionVide order dated 14 August 2015”, said a company spokesperson.