33 Zee channels go off Hathway

[Thakur]

KOLKATA: More than 2.5 lakh cable homes in
Kolkata have been unable to tune into the Zee
bouquet of channels after Zee Turner, the
distribution arm of Zee and distribution agent
of Turner channels, switched off feed to the
multi-system operator (MSO) for defaulting
on payment and refusing to comply with
industry norms. The 33 channels have been
taken blanked out of Hathway's nationwide
network, affecting nearly 25 lakh cable homes
across the country.
A Zee Turner source said the decision to
switch off the channels was taken after
Hathway refused to sign the subscription
agreement/interconnection agreement or
submit the subscribers' report. It had also
run up huge dues. The MSO was facing similar
action from the Star channels but escaped
punitive action after the parties entered into
a settlement.
Apart from Kolkata, channels have gone off
the air in Hathway network in Greater
Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Jaipur,
Pune, Nashik, Delhi, Bengaluru, Aurangabad,
Lucknow and Allahabad.
The blackout includes popular Hindi
entertainment channels like Zee Bangla, Zee
TV and Zee Cafe that dish out soaps, film
channels like Zee Cinema, Zee Studio, HBO
and WB, news channels like Zee News, 24
Ghanta and CNN, and children's channels
Cartoon Network and Pogo.
In Kolkata, another MSO has also been
partially affected by the embargo on
Hathway. Zee Turner has pulled out two
channels — Zee TV and Zee Zindagi — from
GTPL-KBPCL as Hathway has a stake in the
company. The GTPL-KBPCL combine serves
nearly 5 lakh households in Kolkata.
While Hathway subscribers have no option
but to wait till the imbroglio ends, sports
enthusiasts are at least relieved that they are
not being deprived of watching the
Commonwealth Games. Though the bouquet
also comprises Ten Sports, Ten Action, Ten
Cricket, Ten HD and Ten Golf, these have been
let off the hook as Hathway had earlier
entered into a separate pact on them. 33 Zee channels go off Hathway - TOI Mobile | The Times of India Mobile Site