Broadcaster fee hikes spark DTH disputes, consumers caught in the middle

News Source : Livemint
News Summary
- In May, Tata Play removed several Sony channels from its subscription packs following a tariff dispute with Sony Pictures Networks India.
- The episode is part of a pattern that has left many consumers scrambling to restore services or reconsider traditional television (TV) altogether.
- The fallout highlights a deeper structural breakdown in India's pay-TV ecosystem, where rising content costs, stagnant revenue for distributors, and regulatory gaps are pushing platforms and broadcasters into repeated stand-offs.
- The Tata Play–Sony dispute, currently sub judice before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), also reached the Bombay High Court last month.
New Delhi A simmering conflict between broadcasters and directtohome (DTH) operators is flaring up again, triggering channel blackouts, legal disputes, and growing consumer frustration.In May, T [+5484 chars]