Indonesia Tuesday accused U.S.-based global pay TV operator Star Group of monopolistic business and threatened to ban the company's channels from airing in the country.

"We warned Star Group that they have misused their dominant position here," Minister of Communication and Information Sofyan Djalil told a press conference here.

The warning followed a dispute between Star Group and local operator Indovision, which accused the former of unilaterally terminating its six channels, including Star Sports, Star World, Star Movies, National Geographic Channel, ESPN sports and Channel V.

Indovision on Monday ran a newspaper advertisement to apologize subscribers for not airing the six channels, saying it had failed to extend its contract with Star Group.

The Star Group channels also disappeared from two other local operators, Telkomvision and IM2.

"The government bans six Star Group channels from airing in Indonesia from this midnight until there is a decision by the Business Competition Supervisory Agency," Sofyan said.

While terminating contracts with local operators, Star Group awarded exclusive broadcasting right to newly-established PT Direct Vision, he said.

"Star Group has committed to monopolistic business and failed to share broadcasting rights to other pay TV operators," said the minister.

Source: Xinhua