Bombay High Court disposes of Sony's plea against TDSAT order in dispute with Tata Play

Time of India

18-06-2025

The
Bombay High Court
has disposed of the petition filed by
Sony Pictures Networks India
(SPNI), legally known as Culver Max Entertainment, and directed the company to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (
TDSAT
) for any relief in its dispute with direct-to-home (DTH) platform
Tata Play
over renewal of their annual agreement.
A division bench comprising justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Kedar Gokhale, in an oral order, advised the Sony Group company to take the matter to the appellate tribunal, which adjudicates broadcasting-related disputes.
The TDSAT reconvenes after vacation on July 1. The tribunal had earlier issued an interim order and adjourned the case to July 23.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2025년 가장 멋진 RPG 게임을 지금 정복하세요
레이드 섀도우 레전드
Undo
The high court's detailed order had not been uploaded till press time.
The court allowed SPNI to respond to consumer queries on social media by stating that the dispute with Tata Play is pending before the TDSAT and that SPNI channels remain available on Tata Play, both a-la-carte and through SPNI's channel bouquets. To activate these channels, customers may contact Tata Play's customer service number.
Live Events
SPNI had approached the high court to challenge a recent TDSAT directive instructing it to remove all social media posts and content—including those on X—that referenced Tata Play, whether directly or indirectly.
Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, along with Sneha Jaisingh of Bharucha Partners, represented SPNI in the proceedings. Tata Play was represented by senior advocate Ravindra Kadam and counsel Rohan Kadam.
Both SPNI and Tata Play declined to comment on the matter.
The dispute pertains to a disagreement over the renewal of the annual subscription agreement between SPNI, which operates 27 television channels, and Tata Play. The latter, which has around 18 million subscribers, had removed the channels from its consumer packs following the dispute. SPNI had sought Rs 300 crore in dues from the DTH services provider.
The tribunal had clarified that its May 30 order should be read in conjunction with its May 27 order, in which SPNI was directed to remove scrolls against Tata Play from its channels. Tata Play was asked to make a partial payment of Rs 40 crore against the broadcaster's dues.
Earlier, the high court had issued notices to TDSAT and Tata Play, directing them to file their responses. The matter was scheduled for a hearing on June 16 but was adjourned to June 17.
In its submissions to the TDSAT, Tata Play argued that SPNI's financial demand was unreasonable, stating that it had paid about Rs 4,000 crore over the past decade—including Rs 700 crore annually—and had made significant payments since SPNI's initial demand in March 2025.