TataSky to restore ESPN Star Sports to basic?

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TataSky will restore three sports channels from ESPN Star Sports to its basic package within the next 10 days, the Indian DTH operator told a Delhi court.

The operator earlier removed ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket from its basic package to create an additional sports package as part of its new channel line-up and price reductions. The channels form the Sports Platinum Pack which costs an additional fee on top of one of TataSky’s basic packs.

But ESPN Star Sports, 50% owned by Star TV which also owns 20% of TataSky, wants its channels to remain in the basic package.

A carriage deal for the channels between the two parties expired in March and a new one is yet to be agreed. But the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) had told the parties that TataSky should continue carrying the channels while TDSAT rules on the case.

Elsewhere, TataSky management have said that the company was only following recommendations from telecoms regulator TRAI that subscribers be offered more flexibility in DTH packaging.

Source: Rapid TV News