Saturday, April 20, 2024
Kathmandu: Dish Media Network draws the attention of American Disney Star addressing the unilateral shutdown of television signal by Star Private Limited, a part of an Indian television company of star group, in the crisis phase of Nepal's Pay TV.
Dish Media Network has served millions of customers in Nepal under its brand DishHome for over a decade. Dish Media stated that Disney Star should stop the bullying of Star India and take necessary actions for its unprofessional way of depriving millions of people of their rights even while receiving regular service payments.
The Head of Marketing and Communications of Dish Media Network, Sanjay Rajbhandary, said, "In the crisis days like this where Pay TV is facing various challenges like the decline in customers and economic recession, Star India has unprofessionally cut off the signal unilaterally without considering the long business relationship even though they were receiving service payments. The everlasting bargaining and their irresponsible act have deprived millions of our customers of their right to information and entertainment. Disney needs to check reality, investigate and take action. Even the government authorities should show solidarity with Pay TV and play a role in preventing such misdeeds. The problem is now not of a single organization but related to millions of people's interests."
He said that Star India had blackmailed Dish Media to accept all their thirty-two channels, putting them under unnecessary pressure. While the two parties were supposed to negotiate on the further move, after receiving their payment, Star India cut the channels, adding to their agony. After appointing a new distributor for Nepal, Star India strategically sabotaged their relationship, Rajbhandary narrated.
He added, "Various sports competitions are happening these days, and sports connoisseurs are increasing too. By cutting off the channels in this scenario, Star India has challenged Nepal's overall Pay TV industry and invalidated it. We have taken this as threats and blackmail.
When a commercial organization suppresses millions of people of their right to information, the concerned authorities should be alert, and Disney Star should take a serious look at this, said Rajbhandary. And we have also drawn the attention of Disney to the issue. He said," The one making mistakes should be punished. The incident has left us disappointed. All the concerned parties should raise their voice in this matter."
