Cable TV
Animal Planet goes to the movies
MUMBAI: From Free Willy to Benji, animals have always been a part of the movie industry whether as stars of the show or simply filling their role as “man’s best friend.” But few people think about the trainers who work with them and prepare them for their spot in the limelight.
This month Animal Planet takes its viewers behind the scenes for exclusive access to the animals and their trainers who are rehearsing for their latest big picture roles. The series Animal Planet At The Movies airs every Sunday at 8 pm.
Some movies featured in the series include The Hawk is Dying (featuring Paul Giamatti), the remake of The Shaggy Dog (starring Tim Allen and Kristin Davis) and Greyfriars Bobby (starring Christopher Lee).
Following the filmmaking process from beginning to end, the series aims at providing viewers with an insight into the relationships that develop between director, trainer, actor and animal. Featuring scenes from the actual movies and personal interviews with animal trainers and the animals’ human co-stars, the series looks at the on-going care that animals receive, the problems that some species pose and favourite anecdotes from veteran trainers.
Viewers learn how the animals get familiarised with equipment, different locations and actors, as well as how they are maintained, fed and handled.
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.
