With Tata Play beginning to remove SPNI channels from its offerings Tata Play and Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) are at odds again. According to Tata Play the decision to remove Sony channels is apparently due to reported declines in viewership. SPNI, which owns popular channels like Sony Entertainment Television, Sony MAX, and Sony PIX, has condemned the move as arbitrary and retaliatory.
According to PTI, starting August 1, Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky) is focusing on eliminating less popular channels and adjusting monthly fees accordingly by removing SPNI channels from its curated packs.
Tata Play MD and CEO Harit Nagpal said that the platform is optimizing its channel lineup and defended the decision. He also reassured subscribers that any channels removed can be re-added for an additional fee.
Harit Nagpal said the platform is “streamlining channel packs by removing less-watched channels and adjusting monthly charges accordingly. Subscribers, who wish to watch these channels can easily reinstate any of these removed channels by giving a missed call. We anticipate that at least 75 percent of customers whose packs have been modified will benefit from the reduced charges.”
However, rejecting the viewership decline claim as misleading SPNI has reacted with surprise to Tata Play’s decision. The broadcaster contends that the move is a direct response to its request for an audit of Tata Play’s subscriber management system, which has uncovered discrepancies.
SPNI in a statement, said it is a “surprising decision and the narrative built by Tata Play of loss of viewership is misleading. This arbitrary decision seems to have been made without any notice to SPNI or apparent consideration for their subscribers’ preferences. We believe it is a retaliation to exercising our audit rights on Tata Play’s subscriber management system, in which we have observed and communicated certain glaring discrepancies to Tata Play over the past few years”.
Additionally, SPNI expressed confidence that its dedicated viewers, who appreciate diverse and high-quality content, will continue to access its channels through other platforms across the country.