Mumbai : The impasse between broadcasters and major cable operators escalated and on the 18t Feb, the three main broadcasters Star, Sony and Zee disconnected leaving everyone in a lurch. 

The AIDCF members refused to sign the agreement with the broadcasters due to a steep hike in prices. As per them the prices can go up to 60 per cent , but the MSOs have not indicated a price rise to the LCO’s to communicate the same to the customers. 

The LCO’s are in the front line as they serve 98 per cent  of the customers directly and they have been facing irate customers for the past 6 days. As the customers are not aware of the rise in prices, their main query is what will be the revised prices? Second, if a customer has paid in advance, why my cable is cut without any prior notice and will I get my money back and  lastly why are DTH and a few MSO’s have not been affected by this price hike?

The LCO’s have been sending emails to their respective MSO’s regarding the questions asked by their customers, but there has been no response from the MSO’s.

In Maharashtra, the prominent languages The Star Value Marathi pack was at Rs. 49/- and now with the hike in price it would go up to Rs. 62/-. 

Even if this situation gets resolved in a day or two, the LCO’s are going to bear the brunt as they would have to give additional benefits for the days loss of services to their customers, to retain them whilst they have already paid MSO’s the full rate in advance.