ESPN toes Trai guidelines on DTH pricing

Sports broadcaster ESPN has submitted a modified reference interconnect offer for direct-to-home operators to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), compliant with guidelines of the sectoral regulator, following an order from the Delhi High Court.

The sports broadcaster, which was quite reluctant to modify its RIO as per Trai's guidelines, informed the Delhi High Court that it has amended its RIO and submitted a copy to the regulator.

Admitting the submission, a single judge bench of Justice S Murlidhar disposed of a contempt petition filed by Trai.

Last week, admitting Trai's contempt petition the court had threatened the broadcaster with criminal prosecution if it failed to comply with Trai's tariff directions.

In August, 2008, Trai had filed criminal case against the company, its managing director and five other officials after ESPN declined to follow Trai's direction to give its channels -- ESPN Star, Star Cricket and Star Sports -- to DTH operators at 50 per cent of the rate at which it gives channels to cable operators.

When asked about the development, Trai Chairman Nripendra Mishra told PTI the case has been successfully resolved and the regulator's pricing directions have been followed by the broadcaster.

"Earlier, they were delaying their RIO. Now we are satisfied and the petition is withdrawn," he said.

ESPN is already pursuing a suit in TDSAT where it has challenged Trai power to fix broadcasters tariff for DTH operators.