The Hinduja group MSO had challenged TRAI's order that the charges collected from the subscription of paid channels or bouquet of paid channels shall be shared in the ratio of 65:35 between MSO and the local cable operator respectively

New Delhi: Broadcast tribunal the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) allowed several news channels and the News Broadcaster's Association (NBA) to be a party in the dispute between the sectoral regulator and multi system operator (MSO) IndusInd Media Communications Ltd (IMCL) over tariff as part of proposed digitalisation, reports PTI.

A TDSAT bench allowed news channels - NDTV, Time Global (holding company of Times Now), India TV, TV Today, Total TV and NBA -- to be a party a case filed by IndusInd Media Communications Ltd (IMCL) against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

IMCL, a Hinduja group MSO firm, had challenged TRAI's order that the charges collected from the subscription of paid channels or bouquet of paid channels shall be shared in the ratio of 65:35 between MSO and the local cable operator respectively.

The TDSAT also allowed the plea of India Broadcast Foundation (IBF), a lobby group of television broadcasters to be a party in it.

However, the TDSAT also said that broadcasters' impleadment would be subject to the objections raised by IMCL.

Impleadment means to be added as a party.

It also asked TRAI and broadcasters, which has allowed to implead to file a comprehensive reply before it within four weeks and three weeks to MSO to file its rejoinder.

TDSAT asked to list the matter on 7th August for next hearing.

The tribunal's direction came while hearing the petition filed by the Hinduja group owned MSO challenging TRAI's tariff order for digital addressable systems.