The change will take effect immediately after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ends on July 14, 2019. OSN attributed this decision to rampant piracy in the region.
OSN will discontinue its Pehla bouquet from July 15, BroadcastPro ME can reveal. OSN will no longer be hosting South Asian and Cricket channels on its platform, the pay TV network confirmed to BroadcastPro. The change comes right after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ends on July 14, 2019.
The pay TV network commented that with piracy remaining a huge challenge in the region, it was impossible for OSN to continue running the Pehla package, which primarily targets the South Asian audience.
In a statement to BroadcastPro, OSN said: Illegal streaming sites, pirate IPTV decoders within OSNs licensed territories has made it difficult for OSN to continue offering Pehla.
OSN will discontinue all Pehla packs and stop any further subscriptions. These changes may inconvenience some Pehla customers, however, they will be given the choice to retain their favourite non-South Asian channels and watch an eclectic mix of additional world-class series, movies, kids and factual entertainment, as well as some of OSNs exclusive channels, that showcase popular content from around the world like Chernobyl, Handmaids Tale, Keeping up with the Kardashians, La La Land and more.
OSN had acquired Pehla Media and Entertainment back in 2013 to attract a wider viewership across its network.
