Hyderabad: 33 TV channels Sun network could go to off air after Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had denied the security clearance to them.
This decision could mean the cancellation of the broadcasting license of the network and could see all the channels go off air.
Notify that shares in Sun TV, promoted by billionaire Kalanithi Maran, crashed as much as 28 per cent on Monday amid concerns that the broadcast major may have to take off its 33 channels off air as the Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly declined to give the company a security clearance.
According to media reports, MHA has communicated this to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (MIB) on Friday.
It had applied for a 10-year renewal of the security clearances for all the 33 channels last year. The union Home Ministry has cited the reason of two criminal investigations pending against Sun TV and Kalanithi Maran and his brother former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran. (as quoted by exchange4media.com)
SL Narayanan, Group CFO at Sun TV, told NDTV that the company has not got any notice from the government in this connection so far. It appears to be a unilateral move from the Ministry of Home Affairs, he added.
“Most of our channels are running up to 2021 and some till 2023, so nothing is pending appeal… I am reasonably sure, we will not be put to this kind of difficulty. Any action to deny us the right to do business for cases against an unconnected company (Sun Direct) will be harsh,” Mr Narayanan said.
The company said once it gets a notice, it will go to the courts to get a stay.
They are facing a CBI probe over the alleged allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to Dayanidhi Maran’s residence who was the former Communication & Information Technology Minister in Chennai and was extended to the brother’s network. There is also the CBI’s Aircel-Maxis case.
Notify that Sun network is one of the largest media groups in the country which reached 95 million households.
It could go off air unless the court intervenes or if the Prime Minister decides to overrule the Home Ministry’s decision.
Bureau Report
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