Leading Indian broadcaster Star India on Monday deferred the launch of its 5 new channels until further intimidation. The channels were initially slated to launch by March 1.
Star in its intimation to distribution platform operators in India revealed the deferment in the launch of its 5 new channels. The intimation was sent to the broadcasters on Monday.
Star Gold 2 HD, Vijay Music, Star Movies Select, and Star Sports 3 HD were supposed to be launched on 1 February. Disney HD channel was scheduled to launch on 1 March. All of these are now on hold. Star only went ahead with the rebrand of Movies OK to Star Gold 2 in February.
Star had also planned to discontinue three of its existing channels Star World Premiere HD, National Geographic Tamil, and National Geographic Telugu. The shutdown of these channels was to coincide with the launch of 5 new channels. The same is also likely to be on hold until further notice. Star had earlier in January notified DPOs regarding the shutdown of SWP HD.
Star had announced the new launches in its new Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO) wherein it had announced the revision of a-la-carte rates of around two dozen of its channels, the launch of 5 new channels, the rebrand of Movies OK, shutdown of three of its channels, discontinuation & launch of bouquets and a major price hike to its bouquet offerings.
