The Tata Sky War and the CODA meeting

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Even as the Tata Sky, Star's DTH platform is readying itself to launch in this country, misconceptions about its pricing policy have been doing the rounds with the industry and among consumers. In order to put an end to all speculations regarding its pricing policy, the company said that it would only be finalised closer to the time of the launch. The sniping between cable networks and DTH operators has broken out into open war.

Tata Sky's DTH campaign to book blocks of subscribers even before Starting its service has provoked Mumbai cable networks to retaliate. Most networks have pulled the plug on Star One, for which the Star TV broadcaster has also stated airing commercials, "If you are not able to Watch Star One, please ask your cable operator."

In a meeting with the representatives of the Cable Operators and Distributors Association (CODA) on Thursday, Tata Sky said they would like to emphasize that the company had not given out any orders to societies and consumers and if they were being encouraged to stop paying cable subscriptions in anticipation of the DTH service, then it was completely unauthorized.

Tata Sky has been giving better packages than cable operators, offering housing societies connections to all flats through a single dish. What seems to have riled operators most is a promotional leaflet that caricatures the cablewallah.

"It portrays us as thugs with buttons open, a handker- chief round the neck," said Ravi Singh, VP of the CODA. Singh said Tata Sky had no licence and no broadcasters agreement, but was still promising packages of Rs 200 to Rs 300 with a month's free trial. "We'll challenge Tata Sky's plans before the Tele- com Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal," Singh added.

But Tata Sky CEO Vikram Kaushik denied selling any commercial packages. He said they were surveying" the market to see whether consumers wanted single connections or wired common connections. Kaushik said the Multi-Dwelling Unit' solution was an international norm. A Star spokesperson said the network was being unfairly targeted since it is merely a minority partner in Tata Sky.