TDSAT restrains Star Den from marketing TV18's channels

Broadcast tribunal TDSAT today restrained channel distributing firm Star Den Media from marketing the channels of Television18.

Passing an interim order, the tribunal directed Star Den, a 50:50 joint venture between broadcast major Star India and DEN Networks, to not market and distribute channels of the Television18 group.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal order came after it found that the Raghav Bahal Group firm has terminated its marketing and distributing agreement with Star Den, and has "prima facie" established it.

"Star Den is restrained from representing itself as an agent of Television18 with effect from August 13," said a TDSAT bench headed by its chairman, S B Sinha.

The tribunal's order came over a petition filed by the Television18 Group, requesting it to restrain Star Den from marketing and distributing its channels.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Television18, submitted that the group has lost its "faith, confidence and trust" in Star Den and can no longer have any business association with it.

He further said Television18 had already issued a mandatory 30 days' notice to Star Den on July 13 to terminate the channel distribution agreements.

Television18, which owns channels CNN IBN, IBN7, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC TV 18, contended that Star Den had breached its agreement and was treating its channels in a discriminatory manner.

Network 18 has already formed a joint venture with South-based broadcaster Sun TV, named Sun 18, to distribute its channels.