News Broadcasting
CAS makes TV producers even more unattractive for VCs
MUMBAI: TV producers are about to be hit with another whammy. Bad sentiment for media on the stock market aside, the implementation of conditional access systems (CAS) has made them smell even worse.
At least as far as venture capitalists are concerned. Hear out Passionfund.com;s Mahesh Murthy, who used to earlier be a part of the broadcasting industry: “Those who produce serials for C&S channels definitely don’t seem to be an attractive proposition as the channels have been talking of reducing their remuneration post-CAS.”
This opinion is seconded by R Jain of HSBC Securities who says that the number of C&S channel producers who are seeking funds from established VCS is on the decline. He reveals that they are fishing elsewhere for money and getting a good catch.
Explains Jain: “Most of them prefer to take money from the open market. These producers borrow money for periods ranging between three and nine months. There is a lot of liquidity in the market; capital markets and interest rates offered by banks are unattractive. There are several lenders who provide finance – and settle for their tryst with the world of glamour.”
When reminded that the terrestrial and FTA channels will benefit post CAS, Murthy says: “The main problem here is transparency and lack of statistical data and projections. There are no mutually acceptable models that can quantify the revenues obtained by the producers. As it is, advertising market is showing fluctuations and ad agencies are still not clear about the post-CAS scenario.”
Jain adds that several listed companies that produce content for TV haven’t managed to show the kind of growth that was expected. “Their performance has been lacklustre. The share prices aren’t on the ascendant.” Kotak Mahindra Securities media analyst S Prasad had informed indiantelevision.com that he had stopped tracking several top listed media stocks.
Murthy also adds that the same pessimistic sentiments hold good for the film industry. “A film such as Saathiya was declared to be a semi-hit. When we asked for valuations, we were informed that it had earned around $1 million on an investment of $8 million. People from the entertainment industry need to develop better systems to pick up money from VCS”
Jain adds that the main problem relates to the fact that the Indian viewers and audiences are so unpredictable that TV producers are having a tough time. “Post KBC, everyone is just conducting trial and error methods while trying to arrive at the right formula. The recent decline in the ratings of Kyunki and Kahaani hasn’t brought any cheer at all because those replacing them in the top positions don’t seem to be the ‘next big idea’,” Jain adds.
Going by what the bigwigs say, TV producers will likely have to continue picking up the moolah from the grey market till they adopt scientific valuation practices or till they pick up a surefire winner.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
