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Zee-Turner appeals to TDSAT against restoring signals to Asianet; charges it with piracy
NEW DELHI: Zee-Turner, a distribution joint venture between Zee Telefilms and Time Warner, has appealed to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on a recent sector regulator directive asking it to restore signals to Asianet in Kerala.
The Zee-Turner bouquet has been off from the Asianet cable network since 16 December 2004 due to alleged non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 30 million. The company has also charged Asianet with unauthorised distribution of signals and under-declaration of subscriber base that has resulted in huge financial losses.
In a statement today, Zee-Turner CEO Siddharth Jain said, “Asianet has been indulging in rampant piracy of our signals and unethical business practices. While the company claims to reach over 700,000 (7 lakhs) households in Kerala, as per the information published in their official brochure, it has been making a mockery of the declaration of subscriber base to us by declaring a very small percentage. Even this minuscule declaration has not been paid for as is evident from the outstanding amount.”
Since December last, viewers in Kerala have been missing out on their favourite programmes, as well as a slew of exciting new shows lined up for them, as a result of this imbroglio.
Kerala cable TV households connected through Asianet have not been able to watch their favourite channels, including Zee Cinema, Zee TV, Zee English, Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNBC and ZMZ. After general entertainment and popular kids’ channels it was the turn of the prime time English movie channel HBO to disappear from the television screens last week.
“Despite the numerous talks, it now seems futile to expect any co-operation from Asianet in resolving the situation. We have absolutely no other option but to stick to our rightful stand and appeal to TDSAT,” Jain said.
The Rajan Raheja-controlled Asianet Satellite Communications Ltd. is the largest cable network services company in Kerala, and is the leading service provider in the region for Cable TV and Internet solutions. Its cable network services operate from over 40 centers spread throughout Kerala and touch over half a million homes and establishments.
With a countrywide network of over 400 dealers, Zee-Turner has a wide distribution structure in the country and its bouquet caters to wide genre of programming.
Zee-Turner Ltd. is a joint venture company that manages distribution and trade marketing for Zee Telefilms and Turner International (a Time Warner company) bouquet of channels, as well as third party channels such as CNBC and Reality TV, in India and Nepal. Headquartered in New Delhi, Zee-Turner boasts of a combined viewership of more than 30 million households with an equal spread throughout the country.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
