Tata Play removes Sony channels from its DPO packs citing low viewership; Sony calls it arbitrary

[The Founder]

Sony channels can still be viewed by subscribing to them on à-la-carte basis. Sony calls this move 'arbitrary' and 'retaliatory'.


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By Shiv Verma

August 4, 2024 at 8:58 am

2 minutes read

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Tata-Play-removes-Sony-channels-from-its-DTH-packs-blaming-low-viewership;Sony-calls-it-arbitrary
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Tata Play are currently in a dispute over the removal of Sony channels. Starting 1st August 2024, Tata Play has made changes to its channel packs of nearly one million subscribers by eliminating Sony’s linear channels from its bouquets and curated packs, which was a surprise to Sony. Tata Play will continue to undertake this process over the next 10 days.

The reasons given by Tata Play were declining popularity of Sony channels and cost savings for its customers. SPNI has vigorously opposed the decision, accusing it of being ‘arbitrary’ and ‘retaliatory’ and was taken without prior notice. SPNI called the narrative built by Tata Play of ‘loss of viewership’ a misleading statement. This is not the first attempt by Tata Play to remove Sony channels from subscriber plans to reduce bills. In October 2018, back then Tata Sky removed all Sony channels along with India Today Network’s, Aaj Tak and India Today TV from its platform over pricing issues and they were re-added later in December 2018.


Sony has also started to notify Tata Play subscribers by adding a banner on their channels stating “Sony Network Channels are no longer part of Tata Play packs. Call Tata Play or switch to another DTH or cable provider.”