Swami Films Entertainment run Free to Air (FTA) Hindi Movie channel Movie Plus has paid the instalment for June and July on time making sure that it survives on DD Free Dish for the interim. Prasar Bharati has however raised the issue of Movie Plus not paying the dues for the month of May 2020.
The tribunal was informed that Movie Plus has paid up the instalments as per the scheme of permitting payment of 67%, for the months of June and July, 2020 on 30.06.2020. The next instalment falls due on 27th July which the broadcaster is expected to pay up.
Prasar Bharati on its part raised raised the issue of alleged non-payment for the month of May, 2020 either of the complete instalment or reduced instalment as per the scheme. The tribunal had earlier by extraordinarily relief permitted adjustment of payment for the month of May, 2020 out of security available with Prasar Bharati by way of participation fee.
The public broadcaster stated that the same was only adjustable at the end of the term of the agreement. The tribunal noted that the final adjudication is required in respect of the issue relating to the demand of payment of May 2020 dues. Prasar Bharati has been given time to bring on record the relevant facts within a week.
As things stand, Movie Plus and Manoranjan Grand are set to survive the windstorm and remain on DD Free Dish which will keep the number of vacant slots on DD Free Dish still at the existing 3 slots. It remains to be seen as to when the next MPEG-2 auction is held for allocation of the slots on pro-rata basis.
