(24 February 2007 2:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite TV operator Tata Sky has approached the Delhi High Court seeking directions to broadcaster Sun TV to share its feed. TataSky had filed the petition in this regard on 22 February.

The petition said that though Tata Sky had filed a petition with TDSAT, the Tribunal was delaying issuing the necessary orders, due to which TataSky was not getting the feed from Sun TV, as a cosequence of which it was losing business.

In its petition in the High Court, Tata Sky has alleged that Sun TV was violating the regulations of broadcast and cable sector regulator Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). A Bench comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice J P Singh asked Sun TV to file its reply and posted the matter for further hearing on 13 March.

Tata Sky has contended that as per section 3.2 of Trai Regulations, no broadcaster can deny signals to any DTH operator or service provider.

However, Sun TV has refused to do so by quoting very high rates. This amounted to violation of broadcasting guidelines of Trai, Tata Sky alleged.

The company also said by such denial Sun TV, controlled by Kalanidhi Maran, was depriving its customers in the southern region from viewing many regional channels.

It is learnt that TDSAT had asked Tata Sky to file written submissions and the case is still pending with TDSAT, but the DTH player meanwhile decided to approach the High Court.