A division bench issues notice to NDTV over distribution row with MSM

NDTV has been issued notice by a division bench for terminating channel distribution contract with MSM Discovery and switching over to Star Den.

Earlier, a single-judge bench of the Court Justice S Muralidhar had upheld the decision of the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on 22 December, 2011 which had given a judgment in favor of NDTV.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, also issued notice to Star Den, a joint venture between Star and Den Media, directing them to file replies. The court listed the matter for next hearing on 18 March.

The single judge bench had said it did not find any ground for interference with the order of TDSAT, which had rejected the plea of MSM Discovery to restrain NDTV from terminating distribution and marketing agreement between the two, and entering into a fresh contract with rival firm Star Den.

The agreement related to distribution of its channels NDTV 24x7 (English news channel), NDTV Profit (business news channel), NDTV India (Hindi news channel) and NDTV Good Times (lifestyle channel). MSM Discovery had submitted that NDTV had "unlawfully" terminated the channel distribution agreement and collaborated with rival distributor Star Den. TDSAT had said if NDTV terminated the contract wrongly, then MSM could claim damages for the breach of contract. NDTV had terminated the channel distribution agreement with MSM on 13 December after issuing a public notice and it entered into a fresh alliance with Star Den.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/legal-news/item/735-a-division-bench-issues-notice-to-ndtv-over-distribution-row-with-msm.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/legal-news/item/735-a-division-bench-issues-notice-to-ndtv-over-distribution-row-with-msm.html