Blackout: Why has the broadcaster-cable operator fracas come to a head?

The issue has been fermenting since TRAI raised the price cap for a TV channel from Rs 12 to Rs 19

Over a third of cable and satellite homes in India have been missing popular channels from Star, Sony and Zee networks since Saturday, following channel pricing issues with cable operators. The issue exposes the fault lines in the television broadcasting industry. A look at what the fight is all about.

What has led to the blackout of channels by some of the country's top broadcasters?

Channel pricing is a tenacious issue in the television broadcasting market in India. Cable operators maintain that top networks tend to dictate pricing terms to them owing to the popularity of their channels, while broadcasters