Tata Sky Subscribers Finally Get Access to 32 Sony Pictures Network Channels

Tata Sky and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) seem to have reached a resolution regarding the pricing of channels thus ending the struggle between the two parties. After this affair, Tata Sky is sending out SMS to the subscribers that they will be able to watch the entire channels of Sony Picture Networks India on their Tata Sky Set top box. To recall, the contract between Sony and Tata Sky ended back on July 31, 2018. After the lapse of the contract, Tata Sky had only retained 11 channels of Sony Pictures India and dropped the rest 22. Also, subscribers had to give a missed call to Tata Sky to confirm the retention of these 11 channels. However, now the subscribers will be able to watch the Sony channels without any interruption, Tata Sky has informed.

TDSAT Intervened Between Tata Sky and SPN India

TDSAT has entered the picture when the issue happened back then. “Tata Sky subscribers faced issues with the absence of SPN channels. “…we direct both the parties to sit across the table and try to work out a mutually acceptable negotiated agreement within a period of four weeks from today. If required the parties may seek an extension of the period,” TDSAT said in its order.

The matter has been listed for November 11 for considering the outcome of the fresh round of negotiations which the parties are to carry out in the meantime. And finally, it seems to have settled now as mentioned above. Tata Sky is pushing a message to the users as “All 32 Channels of Sony are now available on Tata Sky. Happy Viewing.”

What’s the Issue Between Tata Sky and SPN India?

Earlier in October, Tata Sky dropped 22 channels of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and three of TV Today Network on pricing issues. SPN’s three-year contract with Tata Sky had expired on July 31, and the two since then have been negotiating on a new pricing deal. That said, Tata Sky retained 11 channels of SPN India including popular ones such as SET, SONY SAB, SET HD, Sony Six, Sony Ten 1 and so on.

The contract tenure between SPN and Tata Sky came to an end on July 31. After the talks for a negotiated agreement did not yield any result, SPN served a notice to Tata Sky on September 7, followed by a public notice on September 10. Consequently, Tata Sky opted for an RIO-based agreement effective September 30 midnight for ten channels.

SPN India Sought Rs 1,700 Crore for Contract Renewal

This is an interesting aspect which came out. Tata Sky had pointed out that negotiations failed because the demand was for Rs 1,700 crore and that too when the right of telecasting IPL matches was no longer available with SPN as it has been won recently by another broadcaster. Under the old terms, SPN was getting Rs 800 crore approximately.

So SPN India sought more than double the amount of previous contract value and that too without the rights of IPL. For the unaware, Sony India owned the rights to broadcast IPL matches for ten years since 2008. But in September 2017, Star India pipped Sony to bag the rights for four years- 2018-2022. Having said that, there are no details available on the new contract between Sony India and Tata Sky.