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Broadcasting and cable TV services grew marginally in Q2: TRAI
MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory and Authority of India in its 2019 September-end quarter report has shown a marginal growth in the broadcasting and cable TV services with respect to the number of private satellite TV channels permitted by the government and pay TV channels as reported by broadcasters.
TRAI in its performance indicator report has mentioned that there has been continuous growth in the number of private satellite TV channels subject to the government’s approval in the last five quarters.
It reported that a total number of 910 private satellite TV channels have been permitted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for uplinking only/downlinking only/uplinking and downlinking both compared to 851 channels in the same quarter of 2018.
With respect to quarterly growth in the number of satellite Pay TV channels, TRAI reported at least 330 pay channels, of which 232 SD and 98 HD Pay TV channels compared to 313 pay channels, of which 216 SD and 97 HD Pay TV channels in the same quarter of 2018.
As the country achieved 100 per cent digitisation of Cable TV network, TRAI said, “This is a stupendous achievement making India as the only large country where 100 per cent digitisation of cable network has been achieved through mandatory regulations.”
Out of top four Cable TV networks, Siti Networks has topped the chart with over 91 lakh subscribers , whereas DEN Networks stood at the fourth position with 43 lakh subscribers, TRAI report said.
Meanwhile, GTPL Hathway and Hathway Digital had a tough fight for the second and third spot with difference of few thousands of subscribers, both had 53 lakh subscribers in September ended quarter.
The report said that there are total 1,606 Multi System Operators (MSOs) registered with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), of these 1,143 MSOs are operational. It further added, there are 12 MSOs & 1 HITS (Head in the Sky) operators who have subscribers base over a million.
TRAI while mentioning about Direct-To-Home (DTH) services’ growth said that the DTH service has displayed a phenomenal growth and in all there four pay DTH providers in India.
According to the report, Pay DTH has attained total active subscriber base of around 69.30 million at the end of September quarter compared to 69.45 million in the same quarter of 2018.
Tata Sky and Dish TV locking the horns for first and second position in market share, the latter has 31.61 per cent subscribers base and former 31.23 per cent. Whereas, Airtel being at the third position has subscribers base of 23.39 per cent and Sun Direct has 13.8 per cent.
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.
