TDSAT directs Prasar Bharti to restore Zee group channels

Broadcast tribunal TDSAT today directed public broadcaster Prasar Bharti to restore signals of three Zee group channels on its DTH platform DD Direct.

Accepting a petition filed by Zee-Turner, a 70:30 venture between Zee Group and media major Turner International, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) issued notice to Prasar Bharti directing it to file a reply.

"Prasar Bharti is directed to restore Zee-Turner's three channels -- Zee Smile, Zee Jagaran and ETC Music -- on DD direct," said the TDSAT bench headed by Justice Arun Kumar.

In its petition, Zee-Turner alleged that Prasar Bharti had disconnected signals from its direct-to-home (DTH) platform for not paying the carriage fee. It further submitted that earlier carriage-fee was Rs 25 lakh only and Prasar Bharti 'arbitrarily' increased it to Rs 60 lakh.

Zee-Turner also submitted that prior to disconnection, Prasar Bharti did not give serve any notice. "We are ready to deposit Rs 60 lakh subject to the final outcome of the order," its counsel said.

Last week, while admitting petitions from two other broadcasters -- Total Telefilms and Chardhikala TV (a Punjab-based channel) -- TDSAT had directed Prasar Bharti to restore their channels on DD Direct accepting Rs 25 lakh deposit.