New Delhi, July 29 -- New Delhi: A simmering conflict between broadcasters and direct-to-home (DTH) operators is flaring up again, triggering channel blackouts, legal disputes, and growing consumer frustration.

In May, Tata Play removed several Sony channels from its subscription packs following a tariff dispute with Sony Pictures Networks India. Though the channels remain available a la carte and in Sony bouquets, the episode is part of a pattern that has left many consumers scrambling to restore services or reconsider traditional television (TV) altogether.

The fallout highlights a deeper structural breakdown in India's pay-TV ecosystem, where rising content costs, stagnant revenue for distributors, and regulatory gaps are pushing pla...