MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom on Monday dismissed ESPN Star Sports (ESS) charges against it as "malafide, baseless and false."

"ESPN has been billing us erroneously even in cities where we have not availed of their services," Hathway said in a release on Monday, while commenting on the issue of outstanding that was the reason given for the sports broadcaster switching off its signals. "We request ESPN to refrain from any malicious propaganda against Hathway on false outstanding. We are strictly following the normal trade credit norms as prevalent in the industry."

For renewal of the contract which expired on 30 November in some cities, Hathway clarified that it had on several occasions asked for terms under a new contract period but ESPN had refused. "Today ESPN is not the only pay channel providing sports content. There are many other channels in the fray like DD Sports, Set Max, Ten Sports which have the rights of telecasting various sports including events such as ICC World Cup, and other important events like soccer, hockey and tennis. However we do not want to burden the consumers by increasing their subscription fee, as events of sports are now equally telecast in many other channels," the release said.

By shutting off signals before an important event like India cricket, ESPN is "arm-twisting Hathway," the release added.