MSM-Hathway stand-off ends; both parties agree to 1-year fixed fee deal

MSM has agreed to one-year fixed fee deal for DAS and analogue areas, while Hathway, which had blocked all MSM channels, will immediately put back the channels in its packages

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | September 24, 2015

The bitter dispute over distribution between MSM Media Distribution, the distribution wing of the Multi Screen Media, and Multi-System Operator Hathway Cable & Datacom has come to an end.

At a meeting held between the two warring parties to find a solution to the stand-off, MSM agreed to one-year fixed fee deal for DAS and analogue areas, while Hathway, which had blocked all MSM channels, will immediately put back the channels in its packages.

An official spokesperson of Hathway confirmed the development to BestMediaInfo.com.

The deal is subject to Hathway clearing all outstanding subscription fees. On August 14, 2015, TDSAT (Telecom Disputes and Appellate Tribunal) had ordered Hathway to pay outstanding fees to the tune of Rs 14.56 crore for DAS 1 areas. TDSAT had ordered Hathway to make the payment in three equal instalments in three phases – August 31, September 30, and October 31. MSM's contract with Hathway for Phase 1 expires on October 31.

The contract for Phase 2 had expired on March 31 this year. The outstanding subscription fees here amounted to Rs 60 crore.

After agreeing to issue temporary signals on RIO/a la carte arrangement for DAS 1 areas during the Sri Lanka-India Test series, the row further intensified with MSM alleging that the Hathway had taken its channels out of EPG in DAS 2 and analogue areas, which had led to pirating of its signals. This led MSM to knock on TDSAT's doors again.

TDSAT had addressed the issue again on September, where Hathway sought time till September 30 to file its reply. The matter was put up for hearing on October 16, but with both parties arriving at an amicable solution, the petition is likely to be dismissed.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com