Disney should take appropriate action against Star India’s oppression & unprofessional actions: Dish Media

KATHMANDU: Dish Media Network draws the attention of American Disney Star to the unilateral shutdown of television signals by Star Private Limited, a subsidiary of Star Group’s Indian television company, during Nepal’s Pay TV crisis.

For over a decade, Dish Media Network has served millions of customers in Nepal under the brand DishHome.

According to Dish Media, Disney Star should stop bullying Star India and take the necessary actions for its unprofessional way of depriving millions of people of their rights while receiving regular service payments.

“In crisis days like this where Pay TV is facing various challenges like customer decline and economic recession, Star India has unprofessionally cut off the signal unilaterally without considering the long business relationship even though they were receiving service payments,” said Sanjay Rajbhandari, Head of Marketing and Communications at Dish Media Network.

The never-ending bargaining and irresponsible behavior of our suppliers have deprived millions of our customers of their right to information and entertainment. Disney needs to check reality, investigate and take action. Even the government authorities should show solidarity with Pay TV and play a role in preventing such misdeeds. The problem is now not of a single organization but related to millions of people’s interests.”

He said that Star India had blackmailed Dish Media to accept all their thirty-two channels, putting them under unnecessary pressure. While the two parties were supposed to negotiate on the further move, after receiving their payment, Star India cut the channels, adding to their agony. After appointing a new distributor for Nepal, Star India strategically sabotaged thei relationship, Rajbhandari narrated.

‘Various sports competitions are taking place these days, and sports connoisseurs are growing as well,’ he added. Star India has challenged and invalidated Nepal’s overall Pay TV industry by cutting off the channels in this scenario. We interpreted this as a threat and blackmail.

When a commercial organization violates millions of people’s right to information, the relevant authorities should be alert, and Disney Star should take this seriously, according to Rajbhandari. We’ve also brought the issue to Disney’s attention. He stated, “The person who makes mistakes should be punished. We were disappointed by the incident. In this matter, all parties involved should speak out.”