Zee Turner threatens to cut off 34 TV channels in Bangalore

21 October, 2007:

Zee Turner Limited, the company which holds rights over distribution of 34 key channels, has warned that it may cut off its network in Bangalore following non-payment by some distributors and multi-channel operators.

Some of the channels which would be hit include Zee Kannada, Zee TV, Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO, CNBC TV 18, Zee Café, Zee Studio, Zee Cinema and 25 other channels.

According to a press release from Zee Turner Limited, the multi-system operator (MSO) in Bangalore had built up an outstanding sum of Rs 11.8 million.

Zee Turner Limited also said that the multi-system operator was “under-declaring” its subscriber base by as much as 81% and keeping the company in the dark about the whole process. The multi-system operator, Zee Turner alleges, has declared only a portion of its total subscribers, which amounts to just 19% of the total 150,000 subscribers.

The press release also alleges that “the multi-system operator has declared its subscriber base of more than 75,000 subscribers to other competitive broadcasters whereas it has executed the agreement with Zee Turner Limited with a meager subscriber base of 29,000 only, which was nothing but unfair trade practice and was an effort to usurp profits.”

According to the statistics provided by Zee Turner Limited, the company at present has a countrywide network of over 100 dealers and 14 regional offices.

Zee Turner Limited, headquartered in New Delhi, was incorporated in February 2002, when Zee Entertainment Limited and Turner International India Private Limited launched a joint-venture distribution network. Zee Turner Limited runs distribution and trade marketing for Zee, Turner as well as third-party channels such as CNBC and Reality TV, in India and Nepal.

Zee Turner Limited’s television channels also include Zee News, Zee Trendz, Zee Marathi, Zee Gujarati, Zee Punjabi, Zee Bangla, CNN, Reality, Awaaz, POGO, Zee Business, Zee Premier, Zee Classic, Zee Action, Zee Sports, Zee Telugu, Zee Talkies, Play TV, ETC Punjabi, ETC, Zee Music, Zee Jagran, Zee Smile, 24Ghante, 24 Taas, and Zee Jagran.