Customers signed up to Hathway network, one of the six multisystem operators (MSOs) in the city, are unable to access nearly 40 channels as the provider of those channels — MediaPro — arbitrarily disconnected them for Hathway for nonpayment of fees.
“No time was given to Hathway; we have received a complaint from them about the same about three days ago, but MediaPro is not cooperating with us,” said Karnataka State Cable Operators’ Association President V S Patrick Raju.
Stating that MediaPro has asked Hathway to pay Rs 2.28 crore at Rs 38 per household, Raju said: “MediaPro has chosen to target the biggest among the six MSOs operating in the city, as it wants to force others to pay. While making a payment may not be a problem, procedures need to be followed. The MSOs should be given time to gather customer reaction.”
Popular channels like Suvarna Entertainment, Asianet, Star Movies and other Star network channels, CNN and National Geographic are among the missing.
Informed sources said a top-level meeting between Hathway and MediaPro was held in Mumbai on Tuesday and added that the problem is likely to be resolved by Wednesday.
Up-link and down-link of channels takes about an hour and the process has already begun following the meeting, they added.
