News Broadcasting
Cable industry seeks recognition as part of IT industry
MUMBAI: The cable industry, represented by the Cable Operators Federation of India, Cable Network Association and the National Cable and Telecommunication Association has put forth its own wish list for Budget 2003-4.
(i) Right of Way – Even after 12 years of existence of the industry, there is no policy on “right of way”, i.e. authority to use electric or telephone poles to lay cables at a reasonable rental amount. Every state at present charges arbitrarily and some big business houses influence these state agencies not to give rights to last mile operators to create their monopolies.
(ii) Stealing of Cable TV Signals – Stealing of Cable TV signals by unscrupulous people to get a free access has not been made a cognisable offence.
(iii) Entertainment Tax – Entertainment tax levied on subscribers differs drastically in different states for the same channels. This should be rationalised by central government and a limit should be exercised in this.
(iv) Entry Fee for Broadcasters – All broadcasters broadcasting in the country must be made to pay an entry fee to the government. In particular the pay channels who charge a hefty sum from the subscribers must pay this fee so that government has control on their entry in India.
(v) Recognition as Infrastructure Industry – Cable Television industry must be given the status of infrastructure industry as part of IT industry as it is only Cable TV networks that can carry broadband signals, the future base of information technology.
(vi) Financial Base – Financial institutions should be encouraged to provide financial help to Cable Operators for upgradation of networks and installation of new technologies like CAS.
(vii) Technical Training – Technical Training Institutes like the ITIs, should include Cable TV and Broadband training in their courses to create a well trained work force for better functioning of the industry.
(viii) Custom Duties – Custom duties on CAS equipment and related equipment for headends should be eliminated to enable affordable upgradation of networks.
News Broadcasting
News18 India to air Sabse Bada Dangal on 4 May counting day
Channel promises fastest results, live trends and analysis across five states.
MUMBAI: Ballots will do the talking and screens will do the shouting. As counting day approaches for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, News18 India is gearing up for an all-day broadcast of its flagship election show, Sabse Bada Dangal, on 4 May from 6 am onwards. The Hindi news channel plans to deliver continuous, real-time updates as votes are tallied, combining live counting data with on-ground reporting and studio analysis. With political fortunes set to shift through the day, the coverage will track every swing, surge and surprise as trends turn into results.
The broadcast will feature a mix of senior political leaders, analysts and experts, offering instant reactions and decoding the evolving electoral picture. Expect heated debates, quick takes and detailed breakdowns as the numbers settle across all five states.
For News18 India, counting day has long been a high-visibility moment. The network is banking on its reporting reach, editorial bandwidth and technology-driven coverage to stay ahead in what is often a fiercely competitive news cycle.
With multiple battlegrounds and shifting narratives, the day promises both drama and data in equal measure. And if all goes to plan, Sabse Bada Dangal will once again turn the counting of votes into prime-time spectacle.
