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DhiraaguTV and DhiraaguPlay to discontinue

Mohamed Rehan
26 December 2022, MVT 13:02
Mohamed Rehan
26 December 2022, MVT 13:02

Maldives Telecom and internet service giant, Dhiraagu announced it will discontinue both DhiraaguTV and DhiraaguPlay services effective from January 29, 2023.

The decision came following amendments to Rebroadcasting Regulation (R-1/2022) by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom). The amendments made earlier in January introduced a provision prohibiting companies with foreign shareholders from providing rebroadcasting services in the Maldives.

As per the amendments, companies with 100 percent local ownership will receive MBC’s license for rebroadcasting.

Dhiraagu has 52 percent of the company’s stake owned by Bahrain’s Batelco, with the remaining 41 percent owned by the state and 7 percent by general shareholders.

Dhiraagu sought to extend its rebroadcasting license which was refuted by Broadcom, citing the company not eligible for license renewal.

Dhiraagu had also filed a civil suit against the change in the Rebroadcasting Regulations. On November 10, the court issued an interim order for the company's license to be maintained until the case is resolved.

The court had not found the company in any manner culpable for Broadcom's decision to amend the Rebroadcasting Regulation, further noting that the commission’s decision could infringe rights of third-party entities as well as Dhiraagu amounting to economic loss.

The company in a statement claimed that having regard to present regulatory challenges, and in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, Dhiraagu’s board of directors made the decision to discontinue DhiraaguTV and DhiraaguPlay services.

According to the regulation, the company is required to give a 30-day notice before it can discontinue the services.

Dhiraagu expressed their sincere apologies for inconvenience it would cause to all subscribed customers.

Dhiraagu said it had reached an agreement with newly licensed rebroadcaster, SS Network Pvt Ltd to provide their IPTV and OTT network as a service despite the suspension of DhiraaguTV.

Dhiraagu has planned for existing customers to easily opt-in for the new rebroadcaster’s service.

“During the past seven years, DhiraaguTV, with more than 100 premium channels has has reached over 85 percent households across 95 islands in the Maldives," Dhiraagu said in their statement.

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