TDSAT directs Hathway to pay Rs. 14.6 crore to MSM Media Distribution

In the ongoing tussle over Hathway shifting MSM channels to RIO, TDSAT has asked the former to pay the subscription fee dues to MSM Media Distribution on or before October 31.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed Hathway Cable and Datacom (Hathway) to pay Rs 14.6 crore towards subscription fee dues to MSM Media Distribution, on or before October 31, when the distribution deal expires.

According to a Business Standard report, "The current deal between MSM and Hathway is a negotiated deal, where the MSM channels are available to the MSO as a bouquet, and the individual channels can be packaged by Hathway.

The MSO had reportedly shifted all MSM channels to the reference-interconnect-offer (RIO) deal and has been running a scroll on its network since August 12, informing viewers of the change. The shift to RIO was effected on August 13. MSM's channels are Sony Entertainment Television, Sab TV, Sony Pix, Sony Six, Sony Mix, Sony Kix, and AXN.

According to sources, MSM has challenged Hathway's move to shift its channels to RIO in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). Sources add that the decision was taken unilaterally by Hathway. TDSAT had, on August 14, ruled that Hathway has to honour the commitment under the MOU for the entire term for DAS Phase I areas till its expiry on October 31, 2015.