The Ukrainian cable operator Lanet has criticised two of the country’s leading media groups for unilaterally terminating their contracts with the company.
In a statement, it says that on March 2 it received an official letter from StarLightMedia on such an action from May 1. “The unexpectedness and unfoundedness of the decision contradicts StarLightMedia’s previously declared intentions regarding the sustainability of the partnership in the pay-TV market and the concluded cooperation agreements for a period of one year”.
Lanet adds that although StarLightMedia does have the right to withdraw from the contract unilaterally, this should be done in accordance with the law.
Lanet goes on to say that it also received a notification from Media Group Ukraine (MGU) on March 11 of its unilateral decision to terminate its contract with Lanet on May 5. “So we question whether the management of StarLightMedia was aware of the intention of another media group to terminate cooperation early. After all, the simultaneous unexpected withdrawal of the leading groups from the concluded agreements will lead to significant losses of subscribers and will cause losses to our company”.
Lanet concludes by saying it has sent official responses to StarLightMedia and MGU. It looks forward to prompt replies and urges a return to “constructive partnership building”.
