Press Release
Bhaskar Cable Network directed by TDSAT to increase subscriber declaration by 700% to Zee Turner
May 17, 2007: In the first and only of its kind judgment ever, the broadcast tribunal TDSAT recently directed Bhaskar Cable Network in Jabalpur to correct its declared subscriber base to Zee Turner and increase it by 700%!!The broadcasting industry which has been practically crippled due to issue of under declaration and piracy, this directive comes as a big relief and is being looked upon as a landmark judgment leaving long term impact on broadcasting industry. The court has ordered an increase of 7 times in the declared subscriber base for the first time ever and that too during the subsistence of agreement between the parties.
Bhaskar Cable Network had grossly under declared its subscriber base to Zee Turner. The declared number to Zee Turner was a miniscule 4,221 as against the actual reach of over 40,000. When all the efforts to negotiate correct and fair declaration from Bhaskar Cable Network failed, the matter was referred to TDSAT.
After hearing the arguments of Zee Turner, Hon'ble TDSAT took a very serious view of such rampant declaration and directed the operator to pay Zee Turner on a subscriber base of 28,000 with effect from 1st September 2006 till a fresh agreement is entered into between the parties.
Confirming the development, Zee Turner's head Mr. Hitesh Vakil said, "We really appreciate and welcome the judgment passed by Hon'ble TDSAT's. For our industry, where under-declaration has become a norm and operators have been making money for long at the cost of broadcasters', a directive like this comes as a big relief and motivation. We have full faith in judiciary and this judgement has further strengthens our confidence. We are hopeful that the operator will exhibit the similar respect towards court's order by immediately abiding by the directive."