(6 August 2008 6:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has filed a case against ESPN Software India for non-compliance of its direction on pricing offer for direct-to-home (DTH) operators.

The sector regulator has filed the case before the CJM court.

According to the Trai directive, pay broadcasters have to offer their channels or bouquets to DTH operators at half the price charged in the non Cas (conditional access system) cable networks.

Earlier, Trai had written to the Information and Broadcasting ministry for revoking ESPN's downlinking licence.

Trai had issued a show cause notice to ESPN last month threatening legal action.

When contacted, ESPN Software India MD R C Venkateish said: “We have given our detailed response to Trai, explaining our position. We have not heard back from them. Additionally, issues which are relevant in this matter are pending for consideration in the Tdsat which we have explained to Trai. We will take further recourse to appropriate remedies if and when the need arises."

ESPN Software India runs three channels - ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket.