Television
Rs 128 crore DTH duel: TDSAT pushes Tata Play vs Culver Max case to March 30
High-stakes broadcast standoff hits pause as tribunal delays hearing after technical glitch
NEW DELHI: The long-running tussle between Tata Play and broadcaster Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India (Spni), over subscription dues hit another pause on Friday, with the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) adjourning the matter to March 30.
The dispute began in May 2025 when Tata Play removed 25 Culver Max channels from its DTH packs, citing contractual disagreements. Culver Max countered that the move breached their interconnection agreement and regulatory norms, prompting it to issue a disconnection notice claiming Rs 128.42 crore in unpaid dues.
Tata Play challenged the notice, and in May 2025, TDSAT granted interim protection, allowing channels to remain on air after a Rs 40 crore deposit. Despite the temporary truce, both parties continued to clash over outstanding payments, reconciliations, and bouquet packaging changes. Culver Max claimed over Rs 63 crore was still unpaid even after adjustments, while Tata Play insisted most dues were settled and remaining differences were routine reconciliations.
Friday’s proceedings were brief, cut short by technical glitches, and at the request of the petitioner. The bench, led by chairperson justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel and member Sanjeev Banzal, deferred the case, keeping eyes on the high-stakes broadcasting standoff firmly on the calendar for March 30.
Senior advocates Amit Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Culver Max and Tata Play respectively, with both sides prepared for what has become one of India’s most closely watched DTH-broadcaster battles.
The saga has not only raised eyebrows over millions in broadcast dues but also spotlighted the delicate dance between bouquet reshuffles, regulatory compliance, and big-ticket payments in the DTH world.
ITV News
Deepak Bhojwani exits SonyLIV
Advertising executive closes chapter after working on marquee properties from UEFA Champions League to Kaun Banega Crorepati
MUMBAI: Deepak Bhojwani has moved on from SonyLIV, drawing the curtain on an 18-month run that placed him at the centre of some of India’s most powerful television and streaming properties.
Bhojwani served as manager, content partnerships and ad sales at the streaming platform, where he handled more than 45 key accounts and worked closely with agencies to structure advertising deals and brand integrations across major intellectual properties.
The role brought him into the commercial engine room of premium content—from global sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League and major tennis tournaments to flagship Indian entertainment shows including Kaun Banega Crorepati, MasterChef India and Shark Tank India.
During his tenure, Bhojwani also secured key advertisers across marquee events such as the French Open and the Asia Cup, winning the platform’s quarterly “Customer Champion” recognition for exceeding revenue targets.
Before joining SonyLIV, Bhojwani held senior ad-sales and partnership roles across the digital and sports media ecosystem, including stints at Viacom18 Sports, Airtel Digital, Paytm, and OYO. His career spans more than a decade across category building, strategic partnerships, and B2B account growth.
Bhojwani described the stint as a demanding but formative phase that deepened his understanding of the content ecosystem, particularly the fast-evolving non-fiction and sports landscape.
The next destination remains undisclosed. But in an industry where content, commerce and advertising increasingly collide, the next chapter is unlikely to stay unwritten for long.
