News Broadcasting
Sony network channels off Siti in Delhi
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The switch-offs have started. Even as the World Cup cricket draws nearer, a face off has developed between Sony Entertainment TV and Zee Group multi-system operator (MSO) Siti Cable. Zee’s cable arm has switched off, since yesterday, the channels of One Alliance on all its networks in Delhi and is threatening that the black-out may spread to other parts of the country too, against what Siti says is Sony’s “arm-twisting”.
“Siti Cable is not carrying Sony bouquet channels in Delhi region (which also includes neighbouring towns like Noida and Faridabad) on its networks because of the arms twisting methods being adopted by Sony,” a senior executive of Siti Cable told indiantelevision.com today morning.
Though the Siti Cable executive did not divulge much details of the face-off with Sony, it was pointed out that Sony recently started demanding not only a hike in the subscription money, but also the subscriber base “without sitting across the table for a proper discussion.”
Sony and Siti Cable, it is learnt from the industry, have an agreement in place for Delhi, signed about four months back, which runs till 31 December.
SET distribution head Shantonu Aditya hit out against Siti’s claims saying: “They haven’t paid us for dues pending since March. Is collecting genuine outstandings arm-twisting?” Aditya says that when the issue had come up for discussions with Siti, the MSO had put forward a proposal to pay the dues in instalments. Queried as to why SET had not cracked on collections during the ICC Champions Trophy in September, Aditya responded: “It was an error of judgment on our part in trusting them and agreeing to their offer (of payments in instalments).”
Aditya says the problem is not just one of outstandings. There is also the issue of underdeclaration. Taking the example of Faridabad city, he says Siti is declaring only 3,000 subscribers. This is unacceptable, he asserts.
Yesterday’s development in Delhi was waiting to happen, it seems. A few days back Sony had switched off some Siti operators in Delhi on alleged non-payment of dues and then switched them on again.
In most parts of Delhi, except the Sony channels, the other bouquet channels had gone missing much before yesterday from those networks which are directly or indirectly affiliated to Siti Cable.
Though Sony has a justifiable claim to ask for an increase in the subscriber base (which currently stands at between 65,000-70,000) from Siti in Delhi, what seems to have irked the latter is the “inadequacy on the part of Sony to properly articulate its demands” and that too before an existing agreement has come to an end.
Keep tuned in for more updates on a new season of face-offs.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
