News Broadcasting
CAS Bill clears last hurdle; passed unanimously in Rajya Sabha
NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj today pulled out another ace from her sleeve, getting one of her favourite subjects – the introduction of the conditional access system regime – okayed by one of the Houses of Indian parliament with minimum of fuss and, surprisingly, overwhelming support.
Now, consumers will have to pay for only those channels which he wishes to see and the maximum price for the basic tier of service comprising free to air channels would be determined by the government.
Sony Entertainment Television India CEO Kunal Dasgupta had this to say about the passage of the Cable TV (Networks) Regulation Amendment Bill 2002, which will bring in CAS in the country: “We welcome the passage of the Bill and we hope to work closely with the government in the implementation process.”
Talking on behalf of the cable industry, HTMT’s executive V-P corporate, Ashok Mansukhani, said, “We are very happy that the Bill has been passed. We’ll work very hard in conjunction with broadcasters to bring even more channels at an affordable cost within the next six months.”
A Star TV spokesperson also welcomed CAS. “We are pleased with this announcement and look forward to being a part of the implementation process. We believe that the proper implementation of CAS will result in complete transparency in the declaration of subscriber numbers. It will also offer consumers better value and choice.”
Swaraj had expressed confidence in a conversation with indiantelevision.com last Friday that the process of implementation of CAS should get the nod of the Rajya Sabha this week.
Swaraj’s assertive stance on CAS followed soon after the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), after initial reservations on CAS, made it public that it supports the government’s initiatives on CAS.
News Broadcasting
TV9 to host What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 in Delhi
PM Narendra Modi to keynote two day forum on India and the world
NEW DELHI: TV9 Network is gearing up to host the fourth edition of its flagship What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 on March 23 and 24 in the national capital, bringing together a wide spectrum of voices to debate India’s place in a shifting global order.
The summit will open with a keynote address by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for this year’s theme, “India and the world”, as the country positions itself at the crossroads of economic growth, geopolitical shifts and technological change.
From cabinet ministers to chief ministers, business leaders to cultural figures, the event promises a crowded stage and a lively exchange of ideas. Union ministers such as Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to attend, alongside state leaders including Mohan Yadav, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann.
Political voices from across the aisle, including Smriti Irani, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, will also join the conversation, ensuring that the debates are as diverse as they are dynamic.
Adding a cultural and sporting touch, personalities such as yoga guru Swami Ramdev, poet Kumar Vishwas and cricketing names like Sourav Ganguly, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are set to share the stage. Global business leaders and diplomats will further widen the lens, reflecting the summit’s international outlook.
Speaking ahead of the event, TV9 Network managing director and chief executive officer Barun Das, said India stands at a unique moment in history, combining demographic strength, technological capability and entrepreneurial energy. He noted that in uncertain times, honest conversations and bold ideas will shape the country’s trajectory.
The summit will explore themes ranging from economic growth and governance to innovation, sustainability and culture, positioning itself as a platform for dialogue at a time when the world is in flux.
With a packed agenda and a high-profile guest list, What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 aims to do more than just talk. It seeks to capture a moment where India is not only part of the global conversation, but increasingly helping lead it.
