News Broadcasting
INCableNet’s Vyas, Hathway’s Bhatia quit
MUMBAI: Talk about bad timing. A key executive each from Mumbai’s Big Two MSOs – INCableNet and Hathway – have put in their papers.
INCableNet COO Rajiv Vyas has resigned from his post as on 31 October, a company statement says.
“Mr Rajiv Vyas served the company for over two years. He has resigned for personal reasons. We wish him all the success in his endeavours,” the official release from the Hinduja Group company says.
The Star India-backed rival MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom has also seen a departure. Hathway vice-president Neeraj Bhatia resigned mid-week.
Spokespersons from both companies said no replacements have been identified at this point but would be announced in due course.
Vyas’ case in particular comes at an awkward time since he was the key pointperson who represented INCableNet in meetings with both broadcasters and government officials these last few months, in negotiations linked to the (non)rollout of conditional access in the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
December is expected to be a high action month for the MSOs as India kicks off its tour Down Under and the industry is expecting ESPN Star Sports (ESS) to announce its annual rate hike at the time. ESS has exclusive broadcast rights for the series. If the events of last year are any indicator, the other pay broadcasters should also announce their new rate cards soon after.
Additionally, INCableNet has already announced it will implement CAS unilaterally in December, using various ‘carrot’ options for consumers, including pay-per-view services, interactive games and a large offering of up to 114 channels.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
