How Tata Sky is cheating its customers ... Review on Tata Play

I have been using Tata Sky since 2008(Subscription ID: One Zero One Eight Four Four Six Three Zero Zero). I moved to Tata Sky+(PVR) set top box by paying a premium 8999/- within first month of its launch. I was kind of okay with Tata Sky services though every year they increased subscription prices significantly.

Since 4-5 months some of the channels are not working on my PVR set top box. I get "see if it's raining or cloudy outside" type of blue screen every time. The channels are: Times Now, CNN-News18(CNN-IBN), Telugu TV5, Telugu TV9 etc.

Last month I called the helpline & booked an appointment for my preferred day of technician's visit. The technician called me on my mobile one day before. When I told him about my preferred and available time is next day, he said he'll call me the next day. But silently closed the issue stating "customer not receiving the call". I was waiting all day at home for the technician's visit not knowing the fact that in the background it's notoriously closed. I got to know about it later when I called the helpline for status of my complaint & why technician did not visit. It looks like the technicians do not care for customer's preferred time of availability.

I did not have time to wait for another technician's visit so got used used to not having to watch some of the above said channels. Now my yearly subscription is due this week and I wanted the issue to be resolved before I choose another year's subscription. This time I called the helpline and asked for technician's visit the same day. The technician arrived and he was wondering how the "PVR box" is still working. When I asked some more questions, he said most of the people who had bought this PVR set top box{the first Tata Sky+ recorder SD(non-HD) set top box} have been asked to move to(buy & move for 9000+ Rs) new set top box. This is because Tata Sky's new transmitting parameters are not compatible with old PVR boxes. He asked me to do the same. When I said why should I change when 95% channels are working and moreover it's Tata Sky's responsibility to keep its stuff backward compatible or give them new set top boxes without charging the customer. He tried to change something in the overhead dish antenna. But it did not work. I was left with same old problem. I was told I will be charged Rs 200+ service tax etc for the technician's visit.

I did raise the issue again and asked how can they charge when the issue is not resolved. This time they sent a seemingly senior technician to resolve the issue. He was also surprised by looking at the PVR set top box. It seems he was also trained to ask customers to buy new set top box. He took the set top box to the service center for a quick checkup and returned later acknowledging the problems I faced(those channels were not working there too). He asked me if they can swap my set top box with another old one(customer returned) for a fee of Rs 900. I declined. Hopefully they will not charge Rs 200 servicing charges for "the great advice".

Overall I do not see this Tata Sky practice ethical as they want to make money by forcing the customers to face issues by changing the transmission parameters without supporting old customers.

I have decided to move on as I do not have time to fight with them. Raised account closure request for my subscription and refund of balance amount. Hopefully they will refund me the amount on time.

I request all not to fall prey for such bad business practices from Tata Sky.