PETALING JAYA: Astro All Asia Networks plc, in a note to the chief of India's Central Bureau of Investigation A.P. Singh, said that its relationship with India's Sun TV dated back to 1996 and it has denied that its investment cost for its 20% stake in Sun Direct was a quid pro quo for the purchase of Aircel Ltd by Maxis Communications Bhd (MCB), sources said.
In a letter dated Oct 10, Astro detailed its relationship with Sun Direct, the parent of Sun TV, and its pursuits into the Indian Direct To Home (DTH) sector. Astro had been in talks with Sun TV and other players but the regulatory restrictions in India did not allow it to expand beyond buying programmes initially. However, in early 2004, Astro and Sun resumed their discussions for a joint launch of a DTH service in late 2004.