IS STAR ERRING IN TOMTOMMING DTH AMBITIONS?

Indian newspapers have been full of reports about the tieup between Star TV and the Ispat group belonging to the Mittal family on the DTH television front. The stories with details about the partnership between the two have been attributed to anonymous sources from Star TV's Indian operations.

Several communications professionals feel that Star TV is once again erring in screaming about its Indian DTH ambitions in newspapers. Even if the information is being leaked out in whispers by unidentified Star TV staffers.

"Why is Star TV giving fodder to its opponents," says a senior communications professional. "It has opponents in broadcasting, politics, bureaucracy and media who are already grumbling that that DTH regulations are being changed primarily to favour Star TV. What has started as a trickle may end up being a shower of opposition."

Communications professionals insist that it would be advisable for Star TV to keep mum about DTH like they have about its C-band DTH service. Even if I&B minister Pramod Mahajan is seeking to open up the sluice gates.

"In 1997, Star TV tried the same trick by being loud about DTH," says another communications professional. "The net result: a ban was placed on Ku-band broadcasting. If it seriously wants to get the DTH ban lifted, it should work with its lobbyists amongst bureaucrats and ministers. And mind you the key words are: work quietly."