Times Television Network, TheOneAlliance terminate distribution alliance

Times Television Network, TheOneAlliance terminate distribution alliance

MUMBAI: When the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) came out with its regulation on the fate of the content aggregators, the industry did predict that many networks could now move out of the current distribution ventures. And clearly they weren’t wrong.

 

The first to move out of the joint venture was Star India and Zee TV as they announced the disbanding of MediaPro and setting up of their independent cable TV affiliate distribution teams. If this wasn’t enough, MediaPro also decided to not renew its distribution deal with New Delhi Television (NDTV) with effect from 1 April and Media Content & Communications Services (MCCS) and MGM programming Service India (MGM) with effect from 16 April. As a result of this, NDTV (NDTV India, NDTV 24x7, NDTV Good Times and NDTV Profit), MGM (MGM) and MCCS (ABP News, ABP Majha and ABP Ananda) decided to distribute their respective channels through their own independent affiliate teams.

 

While this was just the beginning, now through a public notice published in the leading newspapers, Times Television Network has informed the stakeholders, that starting 1 April, the network will no longer be distributed by the content aggregator TheOneAlliance. “MSM Discovery has ceased to distribute the Times channels effective 1 April,” reads the public notice.

 

“This is to inform all concerned that with effect from 1 April 2014, Times Global Broadcasting Company Limited (TGBCL) is the sole and exclusive distributor for the television channels namely, Romedy Now, Romedy Now+, Zeem, ET Now (of Bennett, Coleman & Co.), Movies Now (of Zoom Entertainment Network) and Times Now (of Times Global Broadcasting Co.) all forming part of the Times Television Network,” adds the notice.

 

With this, the channels will now be distributed solely and exclusively by TGBCL that will undertake all activities that are necessary, ancillary and incidental for effectively distributing the channels throughout the country.

 

TGBCL will also be responsible for collection of subscription revenue for the channels, through the distribution platforms comprising analogue cable, digital cable, DTH, IPTV, HITS, OTT, 4G and new emerging digital technology platforms, hotels and commercial establishments and marketing and channel penetration activities.