MUMBAI: It was first Hathway Cable & Datacom that complied with the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal’s (TDSAT) order of putting Star India channels on a la carte, and now following it is multi system operator (MSO) DEN Networks.

The MSO has, through a newspaper advertisement, informed its consumers that the Star channels will be removed from the packages and will be offered to subscribers on a-la-carte basis only. “The industry is moving towards a-la-carte channels and so are we. As per the regulation, we have to inform our consumers 15 days in advance before switching off a channel and putting it on a-la-carte. This is what we are doing,” says a source from the company.

The advertisements have been issued in two newspapers in the DAS notified areas. The ad reads: “The Hon’ble TDSAT has upheld the affidavit by Star India Pvt Ltd and has allowed Star TV to offer its channels to us only on a-la-carte basis. In compliance to this order of the Tribunal and as per Star’s demand, we are being forced to remove the Star channels from our packages and offer them to subscribers only on a-la-carte basis and consequently all our packages are being changed.”

The ad further says: “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed viewers and solicit your co-operation for due legal compliance. Please contact your local cable operator for your revised package details as well as to continue availing the Star channels of your choice on a-la-carte basis.”

While Den has started informing the consumers with newspaper advertisements, it will also run TV scrolls to inform the subscribers of the changes in the packaging.

 The Star channels will be switched off from first week of November, post which Den subscribers will have to call the cable operator to be able to view the Star channels.