StarHub's cricket channel charges a whopping $32.10 a month, but it has a loyal band of subscribers.

Hence, StarHub's decision to not broadcast the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, which run from April 9 to May 29, has come as a very rude shock ("Fans livid no 'live' IPL but telcos cite high costs"; yesterday).

It's all the more surprising because StarHub has broadcast this event for the past eight years.

Calls to StarHub have proven futile; if one gets through after 15 to 20 minutes of being put on hold, the response is not helpful.

One can only hope that the Media Development Authority will allow other players to enter the market so that we are not held to ransom by StarHub or Singtel.

Jairam Amrith