'Obscene' films cost Mumbai channel its licence

'Obscene' films cost Mumbai channel its licence

MUMBAI: The sting of India TV's casting couch sexposes is being felt among the channels now.

After the show cause notice the information and broadcasting ministry issued to India TV over its sting operations against members of Parliament, CineWorld, an obscure channel based in Mumbai, has had its uplinking licence revoked.
 

The channel has been prohibited from transmitting/re-transmitting programmes for 30 days. Reason: It has been declared guilty of airing some "obscene" movies.

"The government is serious on this issue and would keep a close watch on channels engaging in such activities," secretary for information and broadcasting, Navin Chawla, was quoted in media reports as saying. "Through this action, which is the first of its kind, the ministry has come down strongly on those purveying obscenity, and this can include cable operators as well", Chawla added.
 
 

Cineworld is an encrypted movie channel that is available via the set-top box on some cable networks in Mumbai. According to industry sources, some cable operators outside Mumbai are also showing the channel, but through an analogue feed.

Cineworld is managed by Mumbai-based 5th Avenue.