Applications
Cable digitisation: IMCL makes third purchase in Kolkata
MUMBAI: IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL) has made its third acquisition in Kolkata as it plans to expand in that marketplace where it sees a lot of demand coming from small-sized cable companies who are unable to fund for digital set-top boxes (STBs).
“We have acquired 51 per cent stake in a small cable TV network in Kolkata. We are looking at seeding 100,000 STBs through this company. This is our third purchase in Kolkata,” IMCL chief executive officer Nagesh Chabria told Indiantelevision.com.
In 2012, IMCL had picked up 51 per cent stake in two cable networks – Hooghly-based Advance Multisystem Broadband Communications (AMBC) and Skyvision.
Advance Multisystem Broadband Communications Limited (AMBC) has become a subsidiary of IMCL with effect from 9 November 2012. IMCL had on 18 May acquired AMBC by subscribing to 51 per cent of the paid up equity capital of AMBC by provision of STBs and digital head-end valued at Rs 80.1 million.
Meanwhile, Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) has reported a fall in its third quarter profit before tax from its media and communications segment (IMCL) to Rs 50.81 million from Rs 199.9 million in the trailing quarter.
The revenue from this segment, which houses the HVL’s cable TV business InCablenet, is Rs 1.52 billion compared to Rs 1.36 billion in the second quarter of the fiscal.
The media and communications business resides in IMCL, a subsidiary of HVL.
HVL has exercised the put option to increase its holding in subsidiary IMCL to 61.71 per cent from 61.17 per cent as a result of conversion of seven years, 12 per cent Cumulative Convertible Redeemable Preference shares aggregating to Rs 150 million into 1.03 million equity shares of Rs 10 each, at a premium of Rs 135 per share.
Applications
AI Impact Summit ’26: Adobe offers Firefly, Photoshop free to Indian students
Adobe to equip 15,000 schools, 500 colleges with free AI tools
NEW DELHI: Adobe has unveiled a major education-focused investment to expand access to its AI-powered creative and productivity tools for students in India, as the company deepens its alignment with the government’s skilling and creator-economy ambitions.
Announced at the India AI Impact Summit, the initiative will provide applications such as Firefly, Photoshop and Acrobat free of charge to students through accredited higher education institutions across the country. The package includes software access, structured curriculum, training modules and industry-recognised credentials.
The programme supports the government’s ‘Create in India’ vision and the Union Budget 2026 goal of generating two million jobs in the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector by 2030.
Working with the government, Adobe said it will make its AI tools and learning resources available at no cost to 15,000 schools and 500 colleges equipped with Content Creator Labs.
Shantanu Narayen, chair and ceo of Adobe, said the move would expand creative opportunity for millions of Indian students while accelerating the prime minister’s vision for a digitally skilled workforce.
Adobe said Firefly integrates creative AI models from partners including Google, OpenAI and Runway, enabling users to generate content using multiple models. Acrobat Pro will support productivity and collaboration tasks such as editing text and images.
Separately, Adobe India has partnered with NASSCOM FutureSkills Prime, a digital skilling initiative backed by the ministry of electronics and information technology, to offer free courses and certifications. The programmes are aimed at preparing students for roles across design, animation, gaming, marketing, media, e-commerce and technology.
