Latest news with #SPNI
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
TDSAT restrains Sony from disconnecting signals to Tata Play; directs interim payment of ₹40 crore
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed broadcaster Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, not to proceed with its disconnection notice issued to direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata also ordered Tata Play to pay ₹40 crore to SPNI within two weeks as a part payment against the broadcaster's claimed dues of ₹128 crore. The amount, the tribunal said, would be adjusted against the final liability at the time of the final admitting Tata Play's petition challenging the disconnection notice dated May 21, a TDSAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice D.N. Patel and Member Subodh Kumar Gupta listed the matter for directions on July 23. 'We hereby stay the operation, implementation and execution of the notice issued by the respondent (SPNI) dated 21.5.2025,' the tribunal said in its order, adding that the stay will remain in effect until the next hearing. The tribunal also urged both parties to reconcile their disputes, including account-level reconciliations. SPNI had been running scrolls advising viewers to switch to other DTH or cable TV operators to access its channels. Tata Play had earlier decided to drop Sony channels from its packs. Tata Play and SPNI have been at loggerheads over commercial disagreements regarding the renewal of their annual subscription deal. While SPNI is seeking a fee hike, Tata Play has pushed back, citing declining viewership of Sony channels. Representing Tata Play, senior counsels Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Meet Malhotra argued that the broadcaster's demand was unjustified. They said Tata Play had already paid around ₹4,000 crore over the past decade, including ₹700 crore annually, and had made substantial payments since SPNI's initial communication in March 2025 seeking dues of ₹300 crore. They also claimed the ₹128 crore demanded was neither due nor payable on the notice date, and accused SPNI of not properly considering set-off amounts. The counsels further alleged that SPNI violated Regulations 17 and 35 of the 2017 Broadcasting and Cable Services Consumer Protection regulations . Acknowledging the petition and supporting documents, the tribunal noted a prima facie case in Tata Play's favour, adding that the balance of convenience also lay with the DTH operator. It warned that failing to grant the stay could cause irreparable harm to Tata Play. Appearing for SPNI, senior counsel Abhishek Malhotra submitted that the scrolls would be withdrawn if Tata Play made some payment and the accounts were reconciled. Based on these assurances, the tribunal refrained from issuing a detailed order at this stage. Tata Play, jointly owned by Tata Sons (70%) and Walt Disney (30%), reported a consolidated net loss of ₹510 crore for FY25, up 44% from ₹354 crore the previous year. Revenue fell 5.46% to ₹4,082 crore due to subscriber losses driven by increased competition from DD Free Dish and the growing popularity of OTT platforms.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TDSAT restrains Sony from disconnecting signals to Tata Play; directs interim payment of Rs 40 crore
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has directed broadcaster Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, not to proceed with its disconnection notice issued to direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Play TDSAT also ordered Tata Play to pay Rs 40 crore to SPNI within two weeks as a part payment against the broadcaster's claimed dues of Rs 128 crore. The amount, the tribunal said, would be adjusted against the final liability at the time of the final admitting Tata Play's petition challenging the disconnection notice dated May 21, a TDSAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice D.N. Patel and Member Subodh Kumar Gupta listed the matter for directions on July 23.'We hereby stay the operation, implementation and execution of the notice issued by the respondent (SPNI) dated 21.5.2025,' the tribunal said in its order, adding that the stay will remain in effect until the next tribunal also urged both parties to reconcile their disputes, including account-level had been running scrolls advising viewers to switch to other DTH or cable TV operators to access its channels. Tata Play subsequently decided to drop Sony channels from its dispute stems from commercial disagreements over the renewal of the annual subscription deal. While SPNI is seeking a fee hike, Tata Play has pushed back, citing declining viewership of Sony Tata Play, senior counsels Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Meet Malhotra argued that the broadcaster's demand was unjustified. They said Tata Play had already paid around Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade, including Rs 700 crore annually, and had made substantial payments since SPNI's initial communication in March 2025 seeking dues of Rs 300 also claimed the Rs 128 crore demanded was neither due nor payable on the notice date, and accused SPNI of not properly considering set-off amounts. The counsels further alleged that SPNI violated Regulations 17 and 35 of the 2017 Broadcasting and Cable Services Consumer Protection regulations Acknowledging the petition and supporting documents, the tribunal noted a prima facie case in Tata Play's favour, adding that the balance of convenience also lay with the DTH operator. It warned that failing to grant the stay could cause irreparable harm to Tata for SPNI, senior counsel Abhishek Malhotra submitted that the scrolls would be withdrawn if Tata Play made some payment and the accounts were reconciled. Based on these assurances, the tribunal refrained from issuing a detailed order at this Play, jointly owned by Tata Sons (70%) and Walt Disney (30%), reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 510 crore for FY25, up 44% from Rs 354 crore the previous year. Revenue fell 5.46% to Rs 4,082 crore due to subscriber losses driven by increased competition from DD Free Dish and the growing popularity of OTT platforms.
News18
27-05-2025
- Business
- News18
India's Tours Of England To Be Live Streamed On Jiostar
Last Updated: India's tours of England will stream live on JioHotstar, while Sony Entertainment Television retains the television rights in 2025 and 2026. In a significant development for Indian cricket fans and the sports broadcasting ecosystem, JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have announced a collaboration for India's tours of England in 2025 and 2026. Under this arrangement, JioStar will exclusively stream all matches, including Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals, on JioHotstar. SPNI will retain the television rights for these events on Sony Entertainment Television. According to the agreement, the highly anticipated five-match Test series in England, starting June 20, 2025, will be live-streamed exclusively on JioHotstar. The series will also be televised on the Sony Sports Network, with Sony retaining the linear broadcast rights. This partnership ensures seamless access for Indian cricket fans across various screens, highlighting the growing trend of collaborative innovation in sports content delivery. Sanjog Gupta, CEO of Sports and Live Experiences at JioStar, commented, 'This collaboration is a win-win for all stakeholders, especially Indian cricket fans, and serves the broader sporting landscape. The combination of JioHotstar's deep digital footprint with SPNI's broadcast network will universalise access to India's tours of England. As the habitual destination for cricket viewing, JioHotstar is committed to offering millions of fans inclusive, intuitive, interactive, and immersive viewing experiences. We will continue to leverage our storytelling, consumer-focused product features, and connectivity to unlock infinite possibilities for serving fans on our platforms." The series will kick off with the first Test at Headingley, Leeds on June 20, followed by matches in Birmingham (July 2), Lord's (July 10), Manchester (July 23), and concluding at The Oval (July 31). The arrangement also includes the 2026 white-ball series, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, to be played during India's return tour of England. Sony Pictures Networks India secured exclusive India rights to England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) properties in 2023 under an eight-year deal running through 2031. This announcement marks a new era of synergy and scale in Indian sports broadcasting, as two of the biggest names in the industry come together to deliver unparalleled cricket experiences to audiences across digital and linear platforms. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 27, 2025, 11:11 IST
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
JioStar, Sony to broadcast Team India's England tours for next two years
JioStar, through its streaming platform JioHotstar, will exclusively stream all matches of India's tours of England — including Tests, one-day internationals (ODIs) and T20 internationals — while Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) will retain television rights for these events via Sony Entertainment Television, both companies said in a joint statement. As per the agreement, the partnership covers India's tours of England in 2025 and 2026. The upcoming Test series between the two countries begins on 20 June this year. This comes at a time when JioHotstar — the combined platform of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema — holds streaming rights for a broad range of cricket events, including International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the Women's Premier League (WPL). 'This collaboration is a win-win for all stakeholders involved — especially Indian cricket fans — and serves the broader sporting landscape,' said Sanjog Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sports and Live Experiences, JioStar. 'The combination of JioHotstar's deep digital footprint with SPNI's broadcast network will universalise access to India's tours of England.' Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO, SPNI, said, 'Backed by the power of the Sony TV network and the digital prowess of JioStar, this first-of-its-kind partnership will hope to redefine cricket coverage. Our deep thanks to our partners in the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) for their support.'
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sony sub-licenses India-England Test series digital rights to JioHotstar
JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have partnered for India's 2025–26 cricket tours of England , with JioStar securing exclusive digital streaming rights on JioHotstar and SPNI retaining TV rights via Sony Entertainment Television. By partnering with JioStar, SPNI has streamlined its focus on television while reducing its exposure to the competitive digital space. For JioHotstar, the deal strengthens its cricket content lineup and helps maintain engagement across its large digital user base. The five-match Test series, beginning June 20, 2025, will be streamed live on JioHotstar and broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. This collaboration aims to make cricket coverage accessible across platforms and reflects an increasing focus on shared distribution strategies in sports broadcasting. Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports and Live Experiences at JioStar, said, 'This collaboration is a win-win for all stakeholders involved — especially Indian Cricket fans — and serves the broader sporting landscape. The combination of JioHotstar's deep digital footprint with SPNI's broadcast network will universalise access to India's tours of England. As the habitual destination for Cricket viewing, JioHotstar is committed to offering millions of fans — inclusive, intuitive, interactive and immersive viewing experiences. We will continue to leverage the power of our story-telling, consumer-focussed product features and connectivity to unlock infinite possibilities of serving fans on our platforms.' The Test series will begin at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, followed by matches in Birmingham (July 2), Lord's (July 10), Manchester (July 23), and The Oval (July 31). The partnership also includes India's 2026 tour of England, covering three ODIs and five T20Is. Gaurav Banerjee, MD and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, said, 'We are thrilled to bring this fantastic partnership to cricket fans for India's tour to England! Backed by the power of the Sony TV network and the digital prowess of JioStar — this first-of-its-kind partnership will hope to redefine cricket coverage. Our deep thanks to our partners in ECB for their support.' SPNI acquired exclusive India broadcast rights for England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) properties in 2023 as part of an eight-year agreement extending through 2031.
