In disconnecting the Zee bouquet of channels to InCablenet subscribers in Mumbai, Zee Entertainment is wrongfully denying subscribers across the city of channels like Ten Sports, Zee Marathi, Zee Talkies, Zee TV, Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO, Zee Cafe, Zee Studio and Zee Cinema among others.

While making false public allegations against InCablenet about the subscription fee owed by them to Zee Turner, Zee Entertainment has failed to mention the fact that it owes InCablenet a substantial amount in carriage fees is payable as per the contract, but are not prepared to clear.

The dispute between InCablenet and Zee Turner dates back to November 2007, when Zee Entertainment wrongfully and unreasonably demanded a sum of over Rs 4 crores towards alleged outstandings. Pending hearings, InCablenet paid Zee Turner a sum of Rs 3.66 crore. InCablenet also continues making monthly subscription payments to Zee Turner through the pendency of the litigation. The other bone of contention between both parties is a unreasonable demand b Zee to increase the subscriber numbers.

In a matter which is currently sub-judice, and where the court has given both parties two weeks time to file their responses, Zee Entertainment has wrongfully taken matters into their own hands and switched off the signals in Mumbai. It has also most improperly made false allegations against InCablenet in the media

An InCablenet spokesperson said, “Zee is blowing things out of proportion and by disconnecting the signals are causing severe inconvenience to the InCablenet subscribers in Mumbai. Our efforts to settle matters amicably with them are being met with refusal. Zee Entertainment’s claim that InCablenet owes Zee Turner a subscription fee of Rs 11.16 crore is entirely baseless. Furthermore their contention that the carriage fee owed to InCablenet need not be adjusted against their subscription amount payable is unfounded. It is grossly unfair of them to claim subscription fees for the channels, and not pay carriage fees for the same channels. When the carriage fees are adjusted against the subscription fees, InCablenet owes Zee Network a sum total of Rs 25,434/-.”

(please see attached reconciliation statement for clarifications)

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