Sun TV did not receive any communication from govt: Group CFO

Sun TV’s Group CFO S L Narayanan on Monday told a TV channel that the company did not receive any communication whatsoever from any government department before action was taken against the channel.

The only source of the information were reports in the media, he claimed.

“I am unable to comment, we need to wait rest of the day for anymore development. In the meantime, we are only hoping that it doesn’t reach this kind of abrupt end,” Narayanan told the channel.

He claimed that around 54 million households across the four south Indian states watch Sun TV channels, while global viewership is at about 250 million.

“In the interest of natural justice, I would at least expect (that) the government gives us a fair hearing before it reaches us a decision,” he said.

“If pending investigation should be cause of action, I don’t think many networks will be doing business in India because almost every media house got some case pending at some court of law. It should not be something which is uniquely directed at Sun TV,” said Narayanan.

Most of the company’s channels’ licences have been renewed up to 2021-2023. Since the company started doing business in April 1993, it was renewed once in 2003 and again in 2013. Some of the other channels that came later were also renewed.

Narayanan claimed that the company has also not heard from the government regarding its radio business, while other companies have.

We were forced to seek legal remedy and it is at the Court now, Narayanan said.