Trai rules out fresh hearing for Nimbus on pricing

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has ruled out a fresh hearing to sports broadcaster Nimbus, which sought a review of the prices fixed for its cricket channels.

During proceedings held before the broadcast tribunal Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), Trai contended that prices were fixed after completing the due process, and it would not start the process again.

Trai also said it had the powers to fix prices, and it was ready to argue the matter further in the tribunal.

A TDSAT bench, headed by Justice Arun Kumar, has posted the matter for further hearing on April 30.

Trai had, on January 12, directed Nimbus to reduce the price of its channel to Rs 21.25 in non-CAS areas and Rs 5 in notified CAS areas. Nimbus had originally priced its channels Neo Sports and Neo Sports Plus at Rs 49.50 a month each and Rs 58.50 for both.

The sports broadcaster, which bought telecast rights for matches featuring the Indian team from BCCI for $612 million, had contended that Trai fixed the prices without giving it proper representation. It had also prayed the tribunal to direct Trai to disclose the material based on which the price was fixed.