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.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
