News Broadcasting
InCableNet claims ESS misleading public
MUMBAI: Seems like Hinduja Group’s MSO InCableNet has finally decided to even the scores with ESPN Software India.
In a point-by-point rejoinder issued today, InCableNet accused ESPN Star Sports (ESS) of misleading viewers and the cable-operator fraternity in general, “with half-truths”.
InCableNet reserves the right of defending its commercial interest in court and will also seek to recover damages caused by ESPN’s actions, it says in a company release.
The MSO’s heated response comes after ESS’ statement yesterday, that it has filed a winding up petition against InCableNet in the Bombay High Court.
In the release, the MSO states that ESS’ version of the commercial negotiations that transpired between the two companies from May 2003 till first week of November 2003, is one-sided.
“InCableNet has not yet been served a copy of the winding up petition prior to its filing in the court, which is the standard corporate practice,” the release states.
Referring to the letter sent to ESS by IncableNet CFO Srinivas Palakodeti on 23 August, the release states, that the company had in fact, laid down three terms and conditions which ESS chose to ignore in its public statements.
The conditions were:
* Withdrawal of complaints/FIR’s filed by ESS
* Signing of the term sheet/agreement for CAS arrangement
* and that ESS agrees and takes steps to ensure that such defaulting operators do not migrate to other networks. It also insisted that ESS agreed to take steps on its discretion as may be necessary such as not issuing new decoders, switching off dummy operators in order to protect InCableNet and to ensure that business interests are not adversely affected.
InCableNet says, subsequent to this letter, commercial negotiations and exchange of correspondence have taken place till November 2003.
The MSO says that when ESS switched off signals to subscribers in Mumbai and Delhi on 10 November, they issued a letter to ESS expressing deep shock for the loss caused. However, ESS failed to respond to the letter in which InCableNet had requested them to adopt a constructive approach and switch on the signals.
InCableNet accuses ESS of having chosen to take an unconscionable step without any notice or provocation whatsoever, and without considering their will to discuss issues across the table.
Finally, the release says that they suspect ESPN of resorting to coercive measures as a prelude to increasing the rates on eve of a cricket season. “A similar step had been taken by ESPN on the occasion of the last World Cup cricket matches,” it specifies.
INCableNet states their digital CAS service is completely ready and a large number of set-top-boxes await deployment in Mumbai. “Failure of leading broadcasters like ESS to conclude CAS agreements has led to non-implementation of CAS and confusion in the minds of viewers. They must be made aware that their pay channel bills will again rise in January 2004 due to annual increase by broadcasters,” the release concludes
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
