Star TV warns cable firms about illegal activities

Some local cable companies may lose top-rating cable channels like ESPN, STAR Sports, STAR Movies, STAR World, National Geographic Channel and VIVA Cinema after cable provider STAR TV announced it may not renew their contracts.

STAR TV said yesterday it would now offer its channel in packages to give cable operators a break in prices, a 40-percent reduction from the previous rates. The "one-stop-shop" approach for five of STAR’s top channels in the Philippines is expected to provide improved programming options and will keep STAR competitive amid a tightening cable TV industry.

However, STAR TV said cable operators must agree to make a full, accurate and truthful declaration of their subscriber numbers. "Cable operators who prefer to continue underdeclaring subscriber base will not enjoy lower rates. We want to deal with cable operators honestly and even-handedly," said STAR regional director Charles Pollard.

"Leveling the playing field on which cable operators in the Philippines compete is the first major battle in STAR’s war against piracy," he added. STAR TV has learned that a large number of local cable subscribers tune in to STAR’s channels off cable systems whose owners, Pollard disclosed, steal or misuse STAR TV signals.

"Despite warnings, many still use foreign and illegally imported decoders and many submit fake subscriber names and addresses. It breaks all international norms and standards of commercial behavior and respect for intellectual property rights," Pollard added.

"Any operator who takes down our encrypted signal without authorization is a pirate and is simply trying to evade paying program providers while continuing to charge their subscribers. It’s unfair and it’s wrong," he said.

The move to package its channels has already received the support of the local cable TV industry. "STAR’s objective is something which we have been working on all these years, something we have been wanting to implement for a long time. We want to rationalize the industry, create fairness to all operators and improve industry standards," declared Manuel Dabao, president of the Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA).

Even provincial cable operators, many of whom are supposedly the targets in the campaign against cable TV piracy, are backing STAR TV’s move. "This is a most welcome development for the smaller cable systems in the Philippines as the rate reductions of the STAR channel enable us to offer a complete lineup of programs," said Dave Ranile of Comsatel Cable TV in Cadiz, Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, Sky Cable threw its support for STAR TV’s move to package its channels. Sky Cable managing director Lito Tria said there is a need for the cable TV industry to unite with programmers to address underdeclaration and piracy.

"For the long term viability of the industry, and for it to have the confidence to seek the support of the government for legislation needed by the industry, the industry’s dealings with various parties should be above-board," Tria added.