Blockbuster TV Channels May Soon Become Invisible
Coveted channels like Zee Kannada, Zee TV, Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO, CNBC TV 18, Zee Café, Zee Studio, Zee Cinema, and 25 more might go off the TV screens because of due payments not being made by Multi System Operator- Aerolex Cable Network in Bangalore, to Zee Turner Ltd. the company that possesses the right for distributing 34 channels.
Aerolex Network owes huge outstanding mounting to Rs. 1.18 crore as on October 2007 to Zee Turner. A litigation is also pending before the Hon'ble TDSAT between the parties. As per the order dated 1st June 2007 and 19th July 2007, the Hon'ble TDSAT has directed Aerolex to make the payments of subscription fees to Zee turner as per the subscription agreement executed between the parties. Aerolex Cable Network has continuously flouted the order of the Hon'ble TDSAT and is evading the payment of subscription fees by defaulting in making the payments. The instance of evading such order is explicit from the dishonour of cheque issued by Aerolex Cable Network to the company. Further the agreements between the parties have also expired on 11th September 2007 but the Aerolex cable Network has not initiated steps for the renewal of the subscription agreements.
It is noteworthy that Aerolex distributes cable TV services to over 1.50 lakh households in Bangalore. Whereas the operator has declared only 19% of this figure to Zee Turner, thereby under declaring its subscriber base by almost 81%. Further it has declared its subscriber base of more than 75000 subscribers to other competitive broadcasters whereas it had executed the agreement with Zee turner with a meager subscriber base of 29,000 subscribers only. Owing to the above situation, Zee Turner has now been constrained to initiate action of deactivating the network in due compliance to the order of Hon'ble TDSAT. This would translate into the disappearance of the 34 national and regional channels from the screens of viewers who subscribe to Aerolex Network's franchisees for their cable connection.
