News Broadcasting
CII backs conditional access
NEW DELHI: A new player has now stepped into the convoluted CAS drama – the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). And, quite dramatically, the apex chamber of commerce feels that conditional access is the answer to the many ills afflicting the Indian broadcasting industry, but it should be rolled out under a regulator’s watchful eye, may be the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), as an interim measure.
In a paper on CAS, submitted to the Indian government a few days ago, CII has said that in India, ‘due to the nature of market development in the initial stages, it hasn’t been possible for the market to adopt addressability. This has resulted in a “unique” situation (high pay TV penetration and near-zero box penetration) where the pay channels have a dual stream of revenue, advertising and subscription.’
“CAS can address this stalemate in the market by streamlining the practices of pay channels and directing their decision to turn free to air or remain pay,” government sources, quoting the CII paper, said.
According to the government sources, the CII paper too has recommended that TRAI may be approached for overseeing the (broadcasting) industry issues as an interim measure.
The suggestions are likely to gladden not only the hearts of the cable fraternity, fast losing hope of seeing CAS ultimately becoming a reality, but also that of the government that is grappling with the knotty issue in its role as the third umpire. Broadcasters may not be so happy to read such recommendations as it would strengthen the hand of the government to neutralise anti-CAS voices within the government and in certain political parties and press ahead with its implementation.
Interestingly, through proper charts and illustrations, the CII paper has said that globally in most markets, pay channels are routed through set-top boxes (STBs) that help the industry in keeping track of piracy and also collect subscription money from individual households.
The architecture of the box and other details are usually decided by the market forces, except in certain special cases like Pakistan where individual prices are specified genre wise (on the basic premise that satellite channels do not create Pakistan specific content) or the UK, where the government is intending to switch over totally to the digital mode.
Sensibly, the paper on CAS doesn’t gloss over the intense friction between the broadcasting and cable segments of the industry. Keeping this in mind, the CII paper says that to neutralise ground monopoly in the initial stages, for the development of the industry, various steps can be taken, including all broadcasters providing signals to all operators on non-discriminatory rates. Ditto for the cable ops. They would have to carry any broadcaster which approaches an MSO, “provided there is parity in the agreements being offered by the broadcaster to all other MSOs,” the sources said.
Declaration of maximum retail price, and not fixed prices, and subsequent transparency in the revenue sharing are important cogs, the paper points out, while suggesting a formula for calculation of a la carte prices of individual channels in a bouquet.
Interestingly, the CII paper suggests that the government should have a role to play while revenue sharing agreements are being drawn up or have been completed. The idea, the sources, said, looks simple: that the government or a government body should know the details of the agreements so that transparency can be maintained and non-discriminatory pricing cannot be resorted to by broadcasters.
News Broadcasting
Brand Bengal Takes a Bow as Enterprise Steals the Show
TV9 Bangla honours 30 plus changemakers in four episode celebration.
MUMBAI: In a state famed for poetry and politics, business took centre stage. And this time, the applause was for balance sheets as much as ballads. Organised by TV9 Bangla, Brands of Bengal Season IV unfolded as an immersive awards showcase recognising some of the region’s most promising and impactful enterprises. Spanning sectors from real estate and education to pharmaceuticals, healthcare, hospitality and technology, the initiative cast a spotlight on organisations shaping what many still fondly call the City of Joy.
The celebration will reach viewers in four televised episodes, with the first two airing on 14 and 15 February, followed by the remaining two on 21 and 22 February, each between 11.30 am and 12 pm.
Beyond trophies and titles, the core idea was sharper: ignite entrepreneurship in a state often perceived as cautious about risk. Brands of Bengal aims to nudge the next generation towards business by chronicling journeys marked by hardship, resilience and reinvention. The narrative is less about overnight success and more about grit, determination and long term commitment that define Bengal’s evolving economic story.
TV9 Network chief operating officer for national and International K Vikram described the initiative as both recognition and reminder. He noted that undivided Bengal was once the industrial hub of British India, before socio economic shifts altered its trajectory. Today, he said, the state’s institutions are demonstrating resilience, creativity and global ambition, and the awards seek to honour organisations that combine commercial success with meaningful social contribution.
The winners list reads like a cross section of Bengal’s entrepreneurial spectrum. From Utpalaa The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia for excellence in landmark residential projects, to IEM UEM Group for excellence in education and placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited was recognised for excellence in genomic diagnostics in Eastern India, while Taste and Byte earned acclaim for customer delight in the cake shop chain category.
Healthcare and education featured prominently, with honours for Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital for transforming rural healthcare, ASMII Save The Sight Foundation for advanced eye care, Vivekananda Hospital for trauma and critical care, and International Institute of Nursing and Research for nursing education. Institutions such as Adamas University, JDS Public School and Elitte College of Engineering were recognised for academic excellence.
The awards also acknowledged innovation in technology and services. Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited was named among the most promising technology brands nationally and internationally, Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt Ltd was recognised for digital brand building strategy, while Samata Co operative Development Bank Ltd was honoured for co operative banking services empowered by digital innovation.
TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal recognises the following brands under multiple categories as listed below:
Client Category Utpalaa~The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia Excellence in Landmark Residential project of the region IEM-UEM Group IEM – UEM GROUP – Multi-Campus University- – BRANDS OF BENGAL for Excellence in Education & Placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited Excellence in Genomic Diagnostics – Eastern India Taste & Byte Excellence in Customer Delight – Cake Shop Chain (Bengal) Adamas University Excellence in Academics and placements Aditya Group Excellence in Eastern India Impact Leadership M L Support Excellence in Health Care Service JDS Public School Excellence in Holistic Education ELITTE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Excellence in Engineering Teaching Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited Excellence and most promising Technology Brand in nationally and internationally Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor Excellence in Outstanding Bengali Culinary Heritage M/S MOHD SHAHNAWAZ KHAN(Transport and Logistic Services) Excellence in Road Transport International Institute of Nursing & Research Excellence in Nursing Education & Research Mitra Caf? Excellence in Bengali & Multi cuisine restaurant Novesta Group Excellence in Bungalow Project Development – Bengal Santiniketan Medical College & Hospital Excellence in Transforming Rural Health Care System Introlink Excellence in Kitchen and Furniture Technology Samata Co operative Development bank Ltd Excellence in Co-Operative Banking Services Empowered by Digital Innovation ASMII SAVE THE SIGHT FOUNDATION Excellence in Advanced & trusted Eye Care Vivekananda Hospital Excellence in Trauma & Critical Care Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory (Bonded) Excellence in Quality Assurance in Homeopathic Medicines PICE Educare Private Limited Excellence in medical education consultant (India & abroad),2025 Swarnabha Industries Excellence in Plastic Multiple Product Manufacturing Business Bharati Diagnostic Centre Excellence in Diagnostic Services Surobharati Sangeet Kala Kendra Excellence in Cultural Education for Children & Youth Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Excellence in Digital Brand Building Strategy Maharaja Caterer Excellence in Catering Services in Kolkata Banabithi Resort Excellence in Eco Resort Hospitality
From Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor and Mitra Cafe celebrating Bengali culinary heritage, to Banabithi Resort in eco hospitality, Maharaja Caterer in catering services and Swarnabha Industries in plastic product manufacturing, the spectrum reflected Bengal’s diverse enterprise fabric. Organisations such as M L Support, Bharati Diagnostic Centre, Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory and PICE Educare Private Limited also featured among the honourees.
The evening concluded with a high energy gala night that blended business with Bengal’s cinematic flair. Tollywood actors Abir Chatterjee and Monami Ghosh were in attendance, while the finale saw the presence of leading names including Padma Shri awardee Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Jishu Sengupta and filmmaker Srijit Mukherjee.
If literature once defined Bengal’s identity and cinema shaped its imagination, Brands of Bengal suggests enterprise is scripting its next chapter. And this time, the spotlight is firmly on those building it.
