Colors TV blocked by Mumbai cable operators

Colors TV, which airs “Bigg Boss 4”, was blocked by cable operators in Mumbai on Wednesday from 7 pm onwards.

MUMBAI: The transmission of entertainment channel Colors TV, which produces and airs the reality television show “Bigg Boss 4”, was blocked by cable operators in Mumbai on Wednesday from 7 pm onwards.

A spokesperson for Colors TV said that cable operators had informed them that they would completely block it by 9 pm, when “Bigg Boss” is scheduled to air.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena had issued an ultimatum to the channel to remove the two Pakistani stars - Veena Malik and Ali Saleem - from the show by 6 pm on Wednesday, failing which they would block the channel.

Cable subscribers from different parts of Mumbai and Thane also confirmed that Colors TV had suddenly gone off-air.

Many expressed disappointment at being deprived of their favourite shows owing to a political tussle between Shiv Sena and the Colors TV management.

Despite repeated attempts, Shiv Sena officials were not available to comment on whether they had ordered the blocking of Colors TV.

The party has been protesting since last week in Lonavala, a hill-station near Mumbai where “Bigg Boss 4” is currently being shot, demanding the removal of the two Pakistani actors from the show.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2010.