The direct broadcast satellite television provider Tata Sky on Monday completely stopped telecast of as many as 22 channels of the Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and 3 from India Today Network over disagreement on revenue sharing between the broadcasters and the carrier. The direct-to-home (D2H) operator has decided not to air some infamous channels including Max, SAB, AXN, Sony Pix, Aaj Tak and India Today TV which came as big shock to its millions of users. Speaking about the same, Tata Sky CEO Harit Nagpal said, “Commercial negotiations with the broadcasters broke down as what they were seeking would have forced us to hike our prices. Hence, we have had to drop a few channels while keeping the popular ones on.”

“While doing so, we are paying Sony much more for the 11 channels retained on the A la Carte rate, versus the contracted rate for 3 times these channels. We request our subscribers to bear with us, as we are doing this in their best interest,” he added. Tata Sky will still telecast 11 popular channels for existing subscribers. These channels included Sony Max, Sony Six, SET, SET HD, Sony SAB, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Ten 3, Sony Pix HD and Aaj Tak, it said in a statement. However, customers who wish to watch missing channels can give a missed call to Tata Sky for the activation.

Meanwhile Sony TV in its recent tweet urged its subscribers to call on a toll free number if any of SONY Network Channels are missing from their subscription packs. The channel gave an alternative to activate or Switch to any other DTH or Cable service provider. “Attn. TATA SKY Subscribers: if any of the SONY NETWORK CHANNELS are missing from your subscription pack, please call 18002086633 to activate or Switch to any other DTH or Cable service provider," read the tweet from Sony TV.”






“Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and Tata Sky have over the years developed an excellent working relationship. It is therefore unfortunate that Tata Sky has unilaterally chose to drop 22 SPN channels from its subscription, even though SPN has not increased the rates of its channel,” a statement from SPN read.

As soon as the news started making headlines, several Tata Sky users took to social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter and questioned the D2H operator over the sudden removal of their favourite channels. However, the service provider replied to their concerns with open-ended revert.






As per TRAI regulations, Tata Sky has shortlisted 11 SPN Channels to still be beamed so that customers can view them. But, for that, customers need to give a missed call for activation of any of these 11 channels as per their requirement. India Today TV is one of the channels among the 22 dropped.