The on-going spat between Star TV Network and Airtel Digital TV over pricing issue on the DTH platform, has come to an amicable end as both the parties have decided to bury their hatchet to provide the viewers uninterrupted Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 viewing. As part of the settlement between the two companies, now Airtel Digital subsribers will also enjoy access to all of Star's programmes.

Both the companies have issued statements on their respective social media handles, assuring the audience that both the parties are committed to provide more and more high quality content and experience to their customers.

Star TV Network's Statement on Social Media:

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Airtel Digital TV's statement on Social Media:

Previous allegations: 

Star Network few days was running a campaign, using clips of various films and cricket matches, where they are directly asking Airtel Digital TV subscribers to switch to other DTH (Direct to home) providers. According to them, Airtel was charging as much as Rs 1,000 for Star channels, which viewers can watch at Rs 200, if they switch to other providers such as Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Hathway, Den, GTPL and Fastway. The broadcaster also notified that Star has not increased channel tariffs and Airtel Digital TV is misleading the customers and unilaterally increasing the prices of Star channels. Therefore, in order to continue watching high-quality Star entertainment, it is time to switch to other operators.

In response to Star’s allegation, Airtel Digital TV had put the blame on Star TV for demanding “an unreasonable hike in rates from Airtel Digital TV”. They even issued a notice on social media, citing that there is no truth in Star TV’s assertion that Airtel Digital TV is increasing the prices and urged the customers to not fall for the lies.

Keeping in mind, one of the biggest sporting events of our country, IPL, which is scheduled to start from April 7, both Star Network and Airtel Digital TV has  thus, decided to sort their ugly spat through mutual agreement. According to a report on Exchange4media, ahead of IPL, Star India has asked the distribution platforms for a raise in the annual distribution deal. The channel is asking for a minimum 20 per cent raise in the deals. The trade media portal quoted that according to industry sources, Star India initially started with 40 percent hike, which differs for various operators.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2018 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).