MAM
MSOs divided on Trai’s ad regulation policy
MUMBAI: Trai’s ad regulation proposal has divided two of the country’s leading multi-system operators (MSOs) into opposite camps with Digicable coming out in support while Hinduja Ventures-owned operator IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd opting for a no-regulation line.
The regulator had initiated the policy to regulate ads on a clock hour basis on the premise that the country is moving towards digitisation and subscription income will become the primary source of revenue stream for broadcasters, an argument which the broadcasters have trashed outright.
However, Digicable in its response to Trai’s consultation paper ‘Issues Related to Advertisements in TV Channels’ has suggested the cap to be only 10 minutes (eight minutes for commercials and two minutes for self-promotion) instead of 12 minutes proposed by Trai for FTA channels.
For pay-channels, Digicable favours a cap of eight minutes (six minutes for commercials and two minutes for self-promotion) while it is against allowing commercials on HD channels except for two minutes in a clock hour.
“If the broadcaster agrees to have a 100 per cent advertisement free channel, then he can have total forbearance on the subscription rate charged for that channel,” Digicable said.
It also demanded that certain channels which are presently FTA in digital domain but pay in analog should be treated as pay till they have a uniform status across the country.
IIMCL, on the other hand, favoured a more open market policy where consumers must be allowed to decide whether they want an ad-free channel or a free to air channel subsidised by advertisements.
“It is up to the subscriber to opt to watch a channel with advertisements at a lower cost or pay premium to watch a channel without ads. Broadcasters on the other hand will automatically regulate the ad time as too many ad breaks will drive away subscribers, thus affecting their resources,” IIMCL said.
Both the MSOs were in agreement that in case of sporting events, advertisements should be carried only during disruptions as most of the sportscasters are pay channels with certain sports like cricket being monetised heavily.
In the case of News and Current Affairs channels, the two operators agreed on Trai’s proposal to run not more than two scrolls at the bottom of the screen and occupying not more than 10 per cent of the screen space for carrying non-commercial scrolls and tickers.
The audio level of the advertisements should also not be higher than the audio level of the programme, both Digicable and IIMCL held.
Stressing that India is not a pay market as consumers do not pay for content, Cable Operators Federation of India is of the view that the so called pay channels were introduced in India in an illegal way in the non-addressable networks by forcing cable operators to pay to receive them, once they became popular as FTA channels. For the last 18 years pay channels have been exploiting the cable operators using all unethical ways like blackmailing with threats of a black out, arbitrary increase in rates, forcing bouquets on consumers and making cartels for distribution.
Cofi wants FTA channels to get 12 minutes ads in a clock hour and pay channels not to be allowed to carry any ads as they would get 100 per cent subscription in the digital regime.
The cable association did not favour allowing ads in sports channels as they already charge the highest amount amongst all pay channels. It also agrees to permitting only full screen ads and not more than two scrolls at the bottom of a page for news and current affairs channels.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
