AIDCF moves TDSAT against free cricket streaming by Star India
AIDCF) has asked the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to order Star India to cease Disney+ Hotstar's free cricket stream, arguing that the customers served by its members are also demanding live cricket for free.
The federation has filed a petition before the TDSAT against the Walt Disney-owned company's decision to offer the just-concluded Asia Cup and the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup for free to mobile users through its streaming platform, Disney+ Hotstar.
The tribunal has issued a notice to Star India and asked it to file a reply by October 3. On TV, Star India is airing the matches on the Star Sports network, which is a paid broadcasting platform.
Star India couldn't be reached for comment.
ET was the first to report June 9 that Disney+ Hotstar will offer the Asia Cup and World Cup free to customers.
Earlier, JioCinema had offered the Indian Premier League free to all internet users in the country. The platform plans to keep sports free as it looks to scale up its business.
In its petition, the federation has contended that the broadcaster is discriminating between sets of consumers by charging cable TV subscribers for the same content while offering it free to Disney+ Hotstar users.
It noted that charging for the same content on TV while making it free online goes against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's regulatory framework, which aims to establish a comprehensive environment that ensures transparency and non-discrimination, and subscriber safety.
The federation contended that free streaming will have an adverse impact on the businesses of its members like GTPL Hathway, DEN Networks, Siti Networks, and Hathway Digital as pay TV customers migrate to OTT.
The total paid
