TDSAT directs Sun, One Alliance to settle dispute amicably  ( July '17,2008, Economic Times)

Broadcast tribunal TDSAT has directed DTH operator Sun Direct and One Alliance, distributor of Sony group of channels, to amicably settle their dispute over sharing of signals on a la-carte basis.

"Let the parties make an effort to amicably sort out the issues and enter into an agreement," said TDSAT Chairman Justice Arun Kumar.

Justice Kumar further directed Maran brothers-owned Sun Direct to reach One Alliance's office in Mumbai on July 18 at 1200 hrs and to hold a meeting.

Meanwhile, Sun TV also submitted before the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) that it would clear the arrear of Rs 54.46 lakhs of MSM Discovery, which operates under the One Alliance brand, for its Set Max Channel within two weeks.

Earlier on April 12, TDSAT had directed MSM discovery to provide Set Max, which had exclusive telecast rights of IPL 20-20 matches on a la-carte basis (pick and choose) from its bouquets.

Sun Direct had approached the tribunal seeking signals of Set Max on the ground that its unavailability would hamper its business in south.

South-based media group Sun TV and One Alliance are engaged in legal fest over subscription of channels, as DTH operator is insisting for particular channels under a la-carte system, while the broadcaster is pressing for subscribing its complete bouquet.

Recently, sectoral regulator TRAI had given direction to One Alliance to modify its reference interconnect offer (RIO) for sharing of channels with DTH operators within 15 days.

TRAI directive came after it found that the broadcaster was not following the norms laid to give channels to DTH operators on a la-carte basis at 50 per cent of the rates offered in non-Cas areas to cable operators.