News Broadcasting
Government should create a level Playing field for cable TV industry: MSO Alliance
MUMBAI: The MSO Alliance, a representative body of the cable TV industry, has demanded that the government should create a level playing field that would allow the cable operators to compete with new technologies of television distribution like direct-to-home.
Speaking today at a seminar on the Indian Cable TV Scenario, MSO Alliance president Ashok Mansukhani said, “The cable TV industry is completely geared to take on the competition from various emerging technologies on television distribution. However, we request the government to ensure a level playing field for us along with other new emerging TV distribution platforms like DTH, which will lead to providing a genuine ‘Consumer Choice’. We believe that in a scenario when the newer technologies are addressable, even the cable delivery should have a law for addressability.”
The seminar was organised by the MSO Alliance. Hathway MD and CEO K Jayaraman and Incablenet COO Srinivas Palakodetti also addressed the seminar. Multi system operator (MSO) Siticable participated in the seminar.
The MSO Alliance supported the principal objective of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommendation to promote and facilitate competition among channels, operators and platforms.
“It is happy that TRAI accepts Addressability must come on all TV channel distribution platforms. As competition increases and the consumers have multiple choices, price regulation would gradually be withdrawn,” the Alliance said.
The MSOs are providing digital cable services and digitalising analogue proactively to deliver the widest choice at value for money price, the Alliance pointed out. The digital services including many additional channels are available from key MSO networks in Mumbai like Incablenet and Hathway, at no additional subscription amount. The digital delivery also demonstrated unique additional features from the digital Set top box like electronic programme guide, language choice and automatic Software download, it added.
Trai has already passed its recommendations for addressability on cable TV eight months back. “We are awaiting the time frame for implementation from the government,” the Alliance said.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
