Cable TV
Africa harmonizing laws to ensure smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting
NEW DELHI: African countries are harmonizing policy and regulatory frameworks for smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
The information technology sector is rapidly growing in Africa, providing a plethora of opportunities for global companies to share their technologies and do business in this continent, and as digitization spreads, internet on mobile phones will increase 20-fold in the next five years. This is double the rate of growth in the rest of the world. These were some of the points made during the Convergence Africa World 2015.
The three-day exposition from 17 to 19 June in Nairobi, Kenya, was organized by Exhibitions India Group (EIG), which organizes the annual Convergence India in Delhi. The event was jointly developed by Exhibitions India Group and AfriEXPOS, a Nairobi based expo organizer.
Over 120 participants and top executives from over 300 companies took part in the expo.
The exhibition was being organized at Oshwal Centre in Nairobi. The exhibition and conference was inaugurated by Ambassador D. N. O Awori, chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The expo also hosted a two day conference consisting of knowledgeable sessions with senior dignitaries from government and corporate sectors. Connecting Africa, Internet for All, Future of Africa’s Telecom, Digital Media and ICT Markets, Kenya Vision 2030, Pay TV, The Evolution of Television in Africa and Cloud & Big Data were among some of the key conferences held at Convergence Africa World 2015 expo.
A first of its kind in Africa, the exhibition and conference showcased the convergence of telecoms, digital media, broadcast and IT industries. The inaugural expo was intended to facilitate B2B contacts, joint ventures, technology transfers, and financial investments, thereby presenting the most comprehensive one-stop shop in Africa.
Some of the companies that exhibited at Convergence Africa World 2015 included brands like Airtel, MediaGuru, RiverSilica Technologies, Matrix Comsec, Conax AS, Horizon Broadcast Electronics, ABOX42 GmbH, and Birla Ericsson Optical Limited.
On the successful completion of the expo, Exhibitions India chairman Prem Behl said, “With Convergence Africa World 2015 expo, our objective was to provide a platform to deliberate on convergence of services, focusing on new-age technologies and merging business solutions that harness the young population to create a wave of technological transformation in the continent.”
Exhibitions India President S.J. Singh added, “Overall the expo rendered a prolific experience for all participating delegates, exhibitors and visitors. Convergence Africa World will return with a succeeding chapter in June 2016.
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.
