Seven channels under Discovery Networks will be removed from StarHub's pay-TV repertoire after renewal negotiations between the two parties were unsuccessful, according to a report by Todayonline.
The channels will be terminated in two phases on June 30 and August 31, 2018. They are: Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Asia, Discovery Science, Eurosport, and Setanta Sports.
“We always work towards meeting our customers’ entertainment needs and minimising any inconvenience to them. Our firm belief is that quality content should come at a sensible price, without our customers having to bear unsustainable increase in costs,” said StarHub's head of content business unit, Ms Lee Soo Hui.
She added that the company was “disappointed that we were not able to reach an agreement with Discovery”. The partnership had lasted over 20 years, and both parties were unable to “come to a mutual agreement about the rate”, said Mr Shavkat Berdiev, Vice-President and General Manager of Southeast Asia Discovery Network.
Discovery had previously accused StarHub of not being prepared to “pay fair value” for its programmes. In a press release, the American entertainment firm said “all we are asking for is the equivalent of a cup of coffee per customer per month”.
StarHub said that customers will be able to watch seven brand new channels at no additional cost. They include: CuriosityStream HD – an award-winning education channel by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks – travel channel Travelxp HD, and Gusto TV HD for food-related programmes.
More new channels also in the pipeline.