Cable glitches -- Zee tries to push 7-channel package, faces resistance
Zee Network is pushing a seven-channel package on cable television operators here, even as Star TV continues to face stubborn resistance to a similar move. The Asiasat-3S satellite-based Zee is offering Zee Cinema, Movies, English and the four Alpha channels - Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi and Punjabi. Cinema, Movies and English are pay channels. Zee is now charging Rs 6 per connection per month for Movies and Rs 5 for English. For the 7-channel package, Zee wants Rs 10.50 per month per point. Discovery Channel will also be distributed through Zee in a revised package later.

Zee’s move is being resisted by cable operators, who are grouped under two multi-system operators - RPG Netcom and Zee’s own Siticable. "Why should we? Our main objection is to the regional Alpha channels. In Calcutta, it is really useless to have the channels of other regional languages. We are not in a position to accept it," an FCO official said. The FCO is expecting to negotiate a favourable deal, just as it did with Turner Broadcasting’s HBO, where it got free-to-air for 120 days against 30 days as Turner had proposed.
A Zee Network official pointed out that the operators are already showing four of the seven channels, including Alpha Bangla. "We did not force operators to take them. But I believe there are many Calcutta residents who love to watch other regional channels too. For example, some south Indian channels and a Gujarati channel are regularly being beamed through MSOs. So acceptability must be there," said Ranjan Dasgupta, regional director, east, Zee Network.
Dasgupta, however, does not think that broadcasters should discuss every issue with cable operators, because the operators come under the multi-service operators (MSO).

Meanwhile, Star has resumed beaming the disputed five-channel package in many areas of Calcutta. Initially, it began with Star Plus all over Calcutta, forced by the demand created by Kaun Banega Crorepati. Rajiv Sharma, Star’s area manager here, said more than half of RPG Netcom’s subscribers are now getting the full five-channel package. The others will get it by the end of this week. RPG Netcom controls over 70 per cent of cable operators in Calcutta.

FCO officials said the dispute over the packaging concept and the pricing is yet to be resolved. "We are talking to Star management to lower the rate from Rs 16.75 to Rs 13 and to consult us about the selection of channels," an FCO official said.

Chandan Banerjee

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