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STB demand in Mumbai, Delhi will be 1 million, says TAM
MUMBAI: The revised zonal conditional access deadline of 1 September is just over a month away, and the tune has changed somewhat from the earlier doom and gloom projections.
Ratings agency TAM Media expects the demand for set top boxes in Mumbai and Delhi to be around 1 million.
On the advertising front, with Mumbai and Delhi accounting for just ten per cent of all-India sales of FMCG goods, there is no need for media buyers to make too much of the “loss in viewership” to pay channels, feels TAM. Why the stress on FMCG goods? Because nine out of the top 10 advertisers on Indian television belong to the FMCG category.
The scenario just described is pertinent to both the metros becoming totally CAS illuminated. But with zonal rollout, the “adverse impact” would be even less, is the TAM argument.
The issue was raised at a CAS discussion organised by the Press Club of India today. Also represented were the three major MSOS Hathway, Siticable and INCableNet and pay broadcasters Star and Zee.
Speaking on behalf of TAM was Akash Chawla, who said, “There has been a lot of speculation about the future of measurement in India post-CAS. CAS has been put in place in most of the 30 countries in which we operate in the latest being Taiwan. The question is whether digital technology is preferable to analogue. Digital technology is tamper proof and state of the art. So the measurement company will need to acquire knowledge of CAS technology and about the different digital systems that will be used. For this purpose we sent a delegation to Australia for a study.”
“We see a demand of one million set top boxes in Mumbai and Delhi. Research has shown that over 70 per cent of television viewers in these two major metros tune in to pay channels. In Chennai however, Sun TV, which is a free to air, dominates. So the CAS rollout there will take longer.”
Chawla said he expected the serious push for set tops would occur during the India-Australia cricket series (airing on ESPN Star Sports) in September-October. “After all two kinds of content drive up viewership in the country: soaps and India cricket.”
As regards advertising Chawla said: “They (advertisers) are not sure whether to continue with pay channels or shift ad spends to the FTA channels. Nine out of the top 10 advertisers on Indian television belong to the FMCG category. Our research indicates that Mumbai and Delhi account for just ten per cent of their all-India sales. So CAS is not such a huge issue for now. The media fraternity should not fear CAS.” He however, pointed out that consumer durable manufacturers might take a hit as the two metros contribute to 20 per cent of their all-India sales.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
