(22 October 2008 11:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The minister of state for information and broadcasting Anand Sharma has informed Parliament about Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) recommendation to cancel ESPN Software India's licence.

In his written reply to a question, Sharma stated that Trai has recommended the government to consider annulling the registration of sports broadcaster and to issue directions to direct-to-home (DTH) operators to stop carrying its channels for violating regulations.

ESPN did not comply with 24 June directive of Trai wherein it has asked ESPN to follow the sectoral guidelines and to offer their channels to DTH operators at a rate 50 per cent lower than the cable rates.

The action recommended by Trai includes invoking of registration of all the three ESPN channels - Star Sports, Star Cricket and ESPN Star, reported PTI.

Sharma mentioned in his statement that Trai has also filed a complaint in the court of chief metropolitan magistrate, Delhi, on 6 August under section 34 of the Trai Act 1997. The court has also taken cognizance of the complaint filed by Trai.