MUMBAI: TV Today Network (TVTN) and Entertainment Network (India) Limited (ENIL) have decided to appeal against the recent decision of the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry barring TVTN to sell its radio FM business to ENIL.  

On 8 May, 2015, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry refused to green light TVTN’s proposal of selling its radio FM business - Oye FM - to ENIL on the grounds that the proposal sale did not conform with the FM Radio Guidelines.

In its notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), ENIL said, “With reference to the earlier announcement dated 13 February, 2015 regarding the non-binding memorandum of understanding with TV Today Network Limited (TVTN) for the proposed purchase of seven radio stations from TVTN. The proposed purchase was subject to relevant regulatory approval(s), Entertainment Network (India) Ltd has now informed BSE that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, vide their letter dated 1 May, 2015, which was received by the Company on 8 May, 2015, has declined its approval on the grounds that the proposed sale by TVTN and proposed purchase by the Company is not in conformity with the FM Radio Guidelines. However, both the Company and TVTN have decided to appeal against the MIB decision.”

It now remains to be seen whether Oye FM, which operates in seven cities across India, continues to stay under TVTN’s umbrella or moves to ENIL.