Mediakom, an association representing small and medium-sized Polish cable operators, has accused the country’s leading broadcaster Polsat of monopolistic practices.
Wirtualne Media reports that the disagreement between the two parties relates to the upcoming volleyball World Cup, which will be held in Poland from August 30 to September 21.
After having seen the collapse of negotiations with sponsors, Polsat decided that it would cover the event through four dedicated channel, one on HD and three in SD, branded Polsat Volleyball.
Only the first match, between Poland and Serbia, will be shown free to air, with the remaining 102 offered to cable and DTH operators.
Mediakom argues that they do not have sufficient time to apply for licences to carry the channels (a minimum of 30 days is required).
What is more, it regards the price asked per subscriber as excessive – PLN75 (€17.9) net, PLN92.5 gross, which would effective require operators to charge up to PLN100 in order to make a profit.
Cyfrowy Polsat, Polsat’s parent company, will meanwhile make the channels available to its subscribers free of charge.