The ZEE network has released a statement to the press on its channels being illegally blacked out in Tamil Nadu by operators such as Arasu, SCV and VK Digital. The claim is that the law of the land dictates that unless a consumer rejects the channel or the broadcaster discontinues the channel, the operator is responsible to deliver the channel to the consumer, which is not happening in this case.
According to a news report in The Economic Times, “The issue, operators say, is related to dispute over discounts. The timing is crucial as ZEE is launching a Tamil movie channel, Zee Thirai, in the market.” The report also quotes a local cable operator as saying, “The whole dispute is because these multi-system-operators (MSOs, the term used for large cable operators) are trying to extort more discounts from ZEE.”
Zee’s statement read, “Vide this press note, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) wishes to clarify that all of its television channels in Tamil Nadu are fully operational across leading cable and DTH operators, including Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd., SCV and V K Digital. The channels are also available across all leading DTH operators viz. Airtel Digital TV, Tata Sky, Dish TV, d2h, and Sun Direct. There has been no change in the consumer price (MRP) of the individual channels or channel packs whatsoever. ZEEL has issued all the required communications to its esteemed viewers informing and urging them to approach their respective cable operators with a request to reactivate the channels, for which they have already paid Rs. 10, as part of their monthly subscription. This communication is purely issued in the interest of all our viewers, since ZEEL has received several complaints and requests through emails and social media platforms, wherein the consumers have mentioned that their cable operators have removed the ZEE Bouquet from their channel packs, without any communication or reason. Hence, viewers have expressed their disappointment for not being able to view their favourite ZEE Channels, despite having paid for the same.”
The network pointed out that several influencers from TN have been tweeting about this over the last few days.
It’s disheartening to see #ZeeTamil being disconnected by few cable operators abruptly.. Hope they bring back it soon.. @TRAI https://t.co/9pohqaney3
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) December 21, 2019
Used to have VK Digital until few months ago. Hearing that lot of service providers have taken off @ZeeTamil from the listing. Any specific reason behind this? @rssharma3 @TRAI
— Sidhu (@sidhuwrites) December 21, 2019
