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In a significant interim relief to Tata Play, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Monday stayed a Rs 128.42 crore demand raised by Culver Max Entertainment Pvt Ltd (The parent company of Sony Pictures Networks India). The tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice D.N. Patel and Member Subodh Kumar Gupta, also directed Culver Max to immediately cease displaying any static image or scroll on television channels retransmitted to Tata Play, following detailed arguments from senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Meet Malhotra on behalf of the petitioner.
The static scroll referred to in the Tribunal’s order was an on-screen message displayed by Culver Max (Sony) across its channels, warning Tata Play subscribers of a potential service disruption due to a pending dispute, a move often seen as a pressure tactic in commercial disagreements between broadcasters and distributors.
The tribunal observed that Tata Play had already paid substantial sums, amounting to nearly Rs 4,000 crore, to Culver Max in the past decade and around Rs 700 crore annually and had also made partial payments against a recent Rs300 crore demand. Despite this, Culver Max issued a fresh demand of Rs128.42 crore, which Tata Play contested as inaccurate and non-payable.
Emphasizing the need to protect the petitioner from potential harm, the bench noted, “There is a prima facie case in favour of this petitioner, balance of convenience is also in favour of this petitioner and if the stay, as prayed for, is not granted, it will cause irreparable loss to the petitioner.”
During the hearing, senior counsel for Culver Max, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, indicated that the broadcaster was open to withdrawing the static scroll if Tata Play was ‘ready and willing to make certain payment’. He further submitted that account reconciliation between the parties was pending and urged the tribunal not to pass a detailed order at this stage, assuring that a formal reply with supporting annexures would be filed soon.
Building on the conciliatory tone, the tribunal directed Tata Play to make an interim payment of Rs 40 crore within two weeks, clarifying that this payment would not amount to an admission of liability by either party.
“The payment of the aforesaid amount shall not be treated as admission of any facts by the petitioner nor the receipt of the aforesaid amount of Rs. 40 crore shall be treated as admission of any facts by the respondent. This amount of Rs 40 crore will be adjusted towards the final liability, if any, at the time of final hearing of this broadcasting petition,” said the order copy.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 23, 2025, with the Tribunal encouraging both parties to reconcile their disputes, including financial reconciliations, in the interim.
The dispute stems from a breakdown in commercial negotiations between Tata Play and Culver Max after their previous content distribution agreement expired. Tata Play approached the Tribunal seeking protection from what it described as an excessive and unjustified financial demand.
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