After the official launch of TELCOMM SATELLITE TV (TStv) a few days ago, there was much excitement that at last, Nigerians have got something that could fully challenge the dominating power of DSTV.
Better enough is that the Satellite TV is coming with many channels at a very cheap price. You also get monthly 10 GB data after the initial 20 GB that comes with your first subscription. All for Just 5,000 Naira.
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It’s all too good to be true, but it is actually all true. That is at least for now, since you cannot tell for how long the company will be able to sustain with others that have not only got the experience, but also the financial shoulder to take on any newcomer.
Considering all that TStv promises to offer, it is very hard to see how it will be able to keep the ship afloat, but surely, that is what Nigerians are praying that it does.
Not too long into the sail, however, there are hints of raging legal battle with the heavyweights of the broadcasting world including Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited and belN.
Turner is the owner of Cable News Network (CNN) channel and the 10 beIN Sports channel is owned by the beIN Media Group. According to reports, these two media giants have come out to claim that they have not given TStv the right to air their contents.
In a statement published by TheNation, which was said to be culled from a letter written by Turner Broadcasting System on September 27 letter to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) indicated thus:
“In this respect, the distribution and broadcast of the above-mentioned channel in Africa including in Nigeria has to be authorized by us in advance.
“The distribution and broadcast of this channel without authorization will infringe our intellectual property rights and constitute acts of property rights and constitute acts of piracy.
“This would amount to an unlawful use, which will infringe the rights and harm the interests of our company, and cause us a substantial prejudice.
“In this context, we invite you to undertake in writing not to distribute CNN, and not to use or reproduce the channels’ trademarks on any advertising or promotional material.
“In the absence of your confirmation should you include CNN within your channel line- up we will take the necessary and appropriate measures and bring civil or criminal judicial actions in order to protect our rights.”
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In a separate letter written on September 28 letter to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), beIN noted that there is no contractual agreement between itself and TStv as regards airing its contents. “We have become aware that your company TSTV intends to launch a pay television service to subscribers in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa generally. Information about this service is contained on the website at htt-z tstvafrica.cbm,” It said.
In a reaction, however, TStv has claimed that there is no truth to the claim. “DISCLAIMER!! We are not unaware of the messages circulating in the social media regarding a letter from beIN Sports and Turner. We wish to inform Nigerians that the letters are FAKE and were prepared basically to bias Nigerians,” the company said.
