In a significant legal challenge, JioStar (the $8.5 billion joint venture between Reliance and Disney) has moved the Supreme Court of India to block an ongoing investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The appeal, filed in late January 2026, contests a December 3, 2025 order from the Kerala High Court that allowed the antitrust regulator to proceed with its probe into alleged anti-competitive practices in the Kerala television market.
The Jurisdictional Battle: CCI vs. TRAI
At the heart of the legal fight is a “turf war” over which regulator has the authority to govern the broadcasting sector.
The Case Details
- The Complainant: Asianet Digital Network, a major cable distributor in Kerala.
- The Allegation: Asianet claims that JioStar (formerly Star India) used its dominant position to offer “discriminatory and preferential” discounts to a rival distributor, Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL).
- The “Sham” Agreement: Asianet alleges that JioStar bypassed the 35% discount cap set by the telecom regulator (TRAI) by routing additional discounts—totaling over 50%—through “sham” marketing and promotional agreements.
- Market Impact: This allegedly allowed KCCL to offer significantly cheaper packages, poaching subscribers and local operators from Asianet.
Legal Timeline and Key Rulings
| Date | Legal Event | Outcome |
| Feb 2022 | CCI Prima Facie Order | CCI finds sufficient grounds to order a Director General (DG) investigation. |
| May 2025 | Kerala HC (Single Judge) | Dismissed JioStar’s petition; ruled competition law applies alongside sectoral rules. |
| Dec 3, 2025 | Kerala HC (Division Bench) | Upheld the probe; directed CCI to finish the inquiry within 8 weeks. |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Supreme Court Hearing | Scheduled hearing before a bench led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala. |
JioStar’s Primary Arguments
JioStar’s legal team is challenging the probe on three main grounds:
- Jurisdictional Overlap: They argue that disputes between broadcasters and distributors fall strictly under the TRAI Act and the jurisdiction of the TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal).
- Forum Shopping: The company accuses Asianet of “forum shopping” by approaching the CCI instead of the sectoral regulator (TRAI) to resolve a pricing dispute.
- Specialist Domain: They contend that the CCI lacks the technical expertise to interpret complex broadcasting interconnection regulations.
The CCI’s Counter-Stance
The CCI maintains that its role is “sui-generis” (unique). It argues that while TRAI handles technical and licensing issues, the Competition Act is the only tool equipped to address the “menace of anti-competitive practices” and the abuse of market power. The Kerala High Court supported this view, stating that the two regulators are “parallel legislations” that must operate unhindered by each other.
Conclusion: A Precedent for Media Giants
The Supreme Court’s decision will have far-reaching consequences for the newly formed JioStar empire. As the entity now controls over 120 TV channels and a 25% share of India’s streaming market, a win for the CCI could open the door for similar investigations into JioStar’s sports broadcasting and advertising bundles nationwide. All eyes are now on the January 27 hearing to see if the apex court will stay the probe or allow the eight-week deadline to proceed.
