WarnerMedia yesterday through its authorized distribution partner Indiacast Media in line with the compliance provisions of Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services (Eighth) (Addressable System) Tariff Order 2017 officially notified the shuttering of HBO, HBO HD, and WB effective 15th December 2020.
While WarnerMedia had last month in a press release intimated the shutdown of the linear feed of HBO, HBO HD, and WB movie channel effective 15th December 2020 on pay-TV platforms in India the regulatory compliances have come yesterday only ahead of the shutdown.
TRAI’s 2017 Regulations mandate that the shutdown of a pay channel has to be intimated to the regulator and simultaneously published on the website 30 days prior to the aforesaid change taking place.
The channels will be discontinued effective December 15, 2020 (midnight 00:00) with the same no longer available for distribution to distribution platform operators in India effective December 16, 2020.
The domino effect of the shutdown of the channels has resulted in WarnerMedia through Indiacast Media intimating the discontinuation of Turner HD Pack and Turner Family HD Pack effective 16th December 2020 along with the revision in MRP and composition of Turner Family Pack and Turner Family HD Plus Pack effective 16th December 2020.
The shutdown is said to be due to the dramatic shift in market dynamics and pay-TV industry landscape with COVID-19 accelerating the need for further change in the operations of WarnerMedia.
WarnerMedia’s portfolio in India now consists of Pogo, Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network HD+ and CNN International. The broadcaster had last month signaled its intent to continue operating its Kids brands and invest in local animation production.
