In a development that will ensure Mumbai cricket lovers get to watch the on-going tri-series in Kuala Lumpur, broadcast tribunal TDSAT today directed cable distributor Zee-Turner to restore signals of Zee Sports to Hinduja-promoted cable operator InCablenet.The tribunal also directed InCablenet, Mumbai's biggest cable operator with about 14 lakh subscribers, to submit Rs 20 lakh to its registrar as a guarantee while accepting Zee-Turner's contention that it would be difficult for them to claim the amount after the matches are over."If the deposit is not made by Incable till the evening of September 20, the respondent (Zee-Turner) is free to disconnect signals," TDSAT chairman Justice Arun Kumar said while directing Zee-Turner to restore signals.Zee-Turner, a 74:26 joint venture between Zee and Turner International, argued that cable operators often deny their due once the issue is over and a recovery suit has to be filed to get the money. The cable operator normally discards the channel after the matches, the Zee counsel conteded.TDSAT Chairman said parties were still free to negotiate with each other on the terms and condition of their future alliance.During the proceedings, Zee denied it had violated the TRAI guidelines by not giving Incablenet three weeks prior notice before disconnection."We had only carriage agreement with Incable and not a subscription agreement. So there was no need of notice," Zee-Turner's counsel said adding that the channel, as per regulations, had informed Incable before converting Zee Sports into a pay channel from free-to-air channel.
