NEW DELHI: Direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Sky has agreed before Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (Tdsat) that it wil continue to provide free signals of ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket on its basic package till November.

Tata Sky counsels filed the statement amidst arguments over a petition filed by one West Bengal-based Federation of Consumer Associations.

While admitting Tata Sky’s submission, Tdsat chairperson Justice Arun Kumar said: “Counsel for respondent Tata Sky has clarified that it will continue to offer three channels ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket free to those subscribers who have enrolled six months prior to 1 June up to 30 November.”

Earlier in June, Tata Sky had altered the price of its basic package by removing some prime channels such as BBC, Ten Sports, ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket from its basic package.

The DTH operator had further asked its customers to pay additional fee to view these channels.

However, Tata Sky later had to restore ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket through an undertaking following the directions of the Delhi High Court.

Later, Tdsat relieved the DTH operator from the undertaking given to Delhi High Court and permitted Tata Sky, in August, to withdraw the three channels and reintroduce it on its add-on package.

When contacted Tata Sky managing director and CEO Vikram Kaushik said, “The case is still going on. While it is on, this is hardly something you can expect me to comment on.”