Cable TV
US cable TV chiefs take on rivals
MUMBAI: The collective decision of leaders of the top three US cable TV operators to look for both programming companies and smaller cable systems is of any indication, the US television industry is going to witness some tough competition between cable TV operators and satellite TV and phone companies.
Chief executives of Comcast Corp., Time Warner Inc., and Charter Communications Inc. reaffirmed their faith in the combination of content and distribution, during the annual National Cable Television Association conference held on Monday, 3 May.
“We have an interest at the right time and right price to expand our cable footprint. The growth prospects (for cable) are as good as any of the businesses in our portfolio,” said Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons. Others who joined hands with Parsons include Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Charter Communications’ controlling shareholder and chairman of Vulcan Inc. Paul Allen.
“We have an interest at the right time and right price to expand our cable footprint. The growth prospects (for cable) are as good as any of the businesses in our portfolio,” said Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons.
According to a Reuters news wire, all three executives would look to buy smaller cable operators to compete with satellite TV providers, which have a national footprint.
Cable TV
Siti Cable launches Crunchyroll Anime Stream channel with Sony YAY!
New partnership brings dedicated anime channel to Indian cable viewers
MUMBAI: Siti Cable has launched a new anime-focused channel, ‘Crunchyroll Anime Stream’, in partnership with Sony YAY!, marking a fresh push to expand anime access on traditional cable platforms in India.
The channel, which went live on April 21, is positioned as one of the first collaborations of its kind between a television network and a cable operator to deliver a dedicated anime service. The move reflects growing demand for Japanese animation among Indian audiences, particularly in regional language formats.
The programming lineup includes globally popular titles such as Naruto, Black Clover, and Robotan, with a focus on dubbed content to cater to local viewers. The catalogue aligns with similar anime offerings currently available across direct-to-home and cable platforms.
The launch adds momentum to a broader trend. Over the past year, several platforms have experimented with dedicated anime channels. Services linked to Crunchyroll have appeared across operators like Dish TV, Tata Play, and Airtel Digital TV, signalling steady interest in the genre.
Backed by Sony Pictures Networks India, Sony YAY! has been steadily expanding its anime footprint, and this latest partnership strengthens its distribution reach beyond digital and DTH ecosystems into cable households.
The bigger picture is clear. Anime is no longer a niche in India. With multiple platforms now investing in dedicated channels and localised content, it is quickly becoming a mainstream entertainment category.
For Siti Cable and Sony YAY!, this launch is not just about adding another channel. It is about tapping into a fast-growing fandom and turning appointment viewing into a daily habit for India’s anime audience.
