TDSAT issues notice to Tata Play on fresh plea by Culver Max 

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has issued a notice to Tata Play on a fresh plea filed by Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Ltd (Sony Pictures Networks India) seeking a thorough audit of the DTH player’s subscribers.

A division bench comprising Chairperson Justice Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel and member Justice Subodh Kumar Gupta issued notice to Tata Play seeking its response and adjourned the matter to September 16.

“Notice upon respondent which is accepted by Mr. Nitin Kala learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent who is seeking time to get instructions. Hence, this matter is adjourned on 16.9.2025,” it said. 

Amid the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, viewers on Tata Play’s DTH service continue to miss Culver Max Entertainment’s bouquet of channels, including Sony Sports Network, in regular packs, though the channels remain accessible on an a la carte basis.

The standoff between the broadcaster and the operator has been  playing out since sometime before the TDSAT. Earlier, the Tribunal had granted Tata Play interim relief by staying execution of a ₹128.42 crore demand raised by Culver Max, conditional upon Tata Play depositing ₹40 crore within two weeks.

TDSAT had also directed Culver Max to stop displaying static images or scrolls against Tata Play. The matter will now be taken up on September 26, 2025, following a request from Culver Max.

Read earlier report

The broadcaster has also challenged parts of the Tribunal’s order before the Bombay High Court, particularly the restriction on issuing public statements about Tata Play’s removal of Sony channels from its packs. 

While the court declined to grant interim relief, it allowed Culver Max to post a limited clarification on social media:

“The dispute between Tata Play and Sony is sub-judice and pending before the Hon’ble TDSAT. However, Sony channels are available on Tata Play on a la carte and as part of Sony bouquets. To activate Sony Channels on Tata Play DTH, call Tata Play on 1800 208 6633.”

The dispute began in May 2025, when Tata Play removed 25 Sony channels from 106 of its DTH packs, allegedly without serving advance notice. 

Culver Max termed the move a violation of its contractual rights as well as of TRAI’s interconnection framework. On June 6, 2025, the broadcaster moved a writ petition, calling a prior TDSAT order of May 30 “ultra vires” and an infringement of its constitutional rights, including free trade and speech.

Disagreements of this nature are not uncommon in the pay-TV sector. Under Section 14 of the TDSAT Act, broadcasters and distributors can approach the Tribunal to resolve disputes related to interconnection terms, covering areas such as subscriber reporting, revenue sharing, and non-payment of dues.