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Tdsat: Tata Sky to pay ESPN on the basis of SMS report

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal has asked DTH operator Tata Sky to make payments of subscription charges to sports broadcaster ESPN on the basis of SMS (subscriber management system) reports of number of subscribers from 1 October, 2008.

While passing the order, Tdsat bench chairperson justice Arun Kumar said, “We clarify that the arrears of subscription charges with respect to months of June, July, August, and September 2008 will be decided at the time of final hearing. Meanwhile, from 1 October 2008, the petitioner Tata Sky will pay subscription charges to the respondent ESPN on the basis of SMS of reports of number of subscribers.”

Both Tata Sky and ESPN will follow Tdsat’s interim order of 24 July wherein the tribunal had allowed the DTH operator to beam the sportscaster's channels on a la carte basis after discharging it from an undertaking submitted before the Delhi High Court.

In addition the Tdsat had ordered Tata Sky to pay the due amount to ESPN till 31 May within 10 days. ESPN was then claiming due of Rs 700 million from Tata Sky with whom its subscription agreement had expired on 15 March.
The case has been listed for hearing on 24 February, 2009.
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