Since October 14, the satellite channel viewers in most parts of Dhaka cannot watch the pay channels of Star TV Network, distributed by MGH Group, while in other areas, they are missing the other pay channels distributed by Nationwide Communications Limited.

The Cable Operators' Association of Bangladesh (Coab), the major association of cable TV operators in Bangladesh, has decided not to provide services of pay channels like Sony, Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Alpha Bangla, Discovery, AXN, Star Sports, Ten Sports and ESPN.

A few other big organisations of the cable operators like United Cable Service (UCS), Chittagong Communication Limited (CCL), Prisma Digital, Bengal Communication and Vestel are not operating any service of the channels like Star Plus, Star Movies, Star News, Star World, National Geography, The History Channel and Sky News.

Abul Khayer Litu of the Nationwide Communications Limited (NCL) said, "Nationwide has switched off services to a few cable operators in Moghbazar and Mirpur in Dhaka and one in Chittagong because they failed to pay their dues to the company (NCL)."

"We have three big cable operator services -- Bengal Communications at Dhanmondi, Prisma Digital at Gulshan and Vestal at Uttara -- which have joined with UCS, a consortium of cable operators, in Dhaka City. These operators cover almost 75 percent areas of the city," he said.

"Our associate operator CCL covers almost 60 percent areas in Chittagong City," he added.

Litu said they have decided to quit any pay channels of Star TV Network, distributed by MGH Group, in protest against the police harassment of 18 people of UCS, in connection with a false case lodged by MGH Group.

"We have switched off pay channels to three associates of Coab as they did not pay their dues. But we have requested all the cable operators that those who cannot operate our services because of the crisis can seek our help to re-operate the services," he added.

On the other hand, Abdur Rahim on behalf of MGH Group said, "We filed case against some operators UCS with Tejgaon Police Station, as they owe Tk 1 crore and 76 lakh to MGH."

"We have not switched off any operators like Bengal Communications, Prizma Digital or Vestel, owned by Nationwide. Then why Nationwide is interfering in this," he said.

However, Coab explains the crisis from a different angle. SM Anwar Parvez, president of Coab, said Nationwide Communications had long been doing a monopoly business of satellite pay channels in Bangladesh and since July, 2004 MGH Group is the distributor of the pay channels of Star TV Network in Bangladesh.

"We have told our associates which control most of the areas of the country to quit pay channels distributed by Nationwide Communications, as Nationwide has created the crisis only to regain its monopoly business. Still we want a solution to the problem through discussion."

Litu, however, alleged that the Coab has taken side with MGH intentionally. "We have no problem with Coab," he added.

The chaos between the distributors and association leaders has put the ordinary cable operators in deep trouble. A cable operator on condition of anonymity said, "For many days I cannot operate any channels distributed by Nationwide. But my subscribers do not try to understand the tug-of-war between the distributors. They just demand smooth service."

The subscribers want an immediate solution to the problem. Pavel Rahman, an inhabitant of Paltan area, said, "We have been missing a few of the satellite channels for many days. But the channel operators are not decreasing the line rent."