New Delhi: In a move that may inconvenience viewers, Republic TV, Republic Bharat, Republic Bangla, and Republic Kannada have been removed from the channel packs of cable television networks Den and Hathway. However, this is likely a temporary situation as sources suggest a resolution is imminent.
According to industry sources, the reason behind the channel removal is non-payment of dues by Republic Media Network, which owns the aforementioned channels, to Den and Hathway. The outstanding dues are reportedly for several months.
While Republic Media Network has not yet responded to queries regarding the issue, sources close to the development indicate that both parties are currently in talks and Republic Media Network has agreed to clear the dues. This suggests that the channels will be reinstated in Den and Hathway packages within a day or two.
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It’s important to note that unlike pay channels, Republic channels are free-to-air. This means that viewers can still access them directly through their set-top boxes. However, the removal from cable network packages means viewers will have to manually select these channels instead of having them readily available in their subscribed packs.
This situation highlights a recurring issue in the cable television industry. Disputes between broadcasters and cable networks over carriage fees and revenue-sharing agreements can sometimes lead to temporary channel blackouts for subscribers.
While the specific details of the Den-Hathway and Republic Media Network dispute remain unclear, the swiftness of the reported negotiations suggests a quick resolution. Viewers can expect to see Republic channels back in their Den and Hathway packs soon.
