ESPN Software India has discontinued signals of its channels ESPN and STAR Sports to IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd. (IIMCL), which controls the Hinduja cable arm INCablenet.

This development comes in the wake of non-payment of dues, says a company statement. "IIMCL failed to pay routine monthly dues despite repeated collection efforts," it says. The amount outstanding is Rs 7 crore.

This development has been restricted to Mumbai where apart from InCablenet, ESPN provides signals to Hathway, Seven Star, Siticable and other independent affiliates. The statement maintains that signals to the other cable arms will continue unabated.

The statement highlights that in a letter dated 27.08.2003 to ESPN Software India, Srinivas Palakodeti, CFO, IIMCL, had assured to pay ESPN Rs 3.65 crore, the outstanding amount then. "However, the company is yet to realise the money," it says.

According to Sricharan Iyengar, vice-president, affiliate sales, ESPN Software, the company will try and resolve the issue with INCablenet in the interest of consumers. "Unfortunately, InCablenet continues to default on payments without any concern that its actions may deny viewers the interesting line up of sports we have on hand," he adds.