Cable TV
Cisco launches cloud video solutions for broadcasters, media cos
MUMBAI: Cisco has unveiled its new ‘Infinite’ suite of cloud-powered video solutions, which will help broadcasters, media companies and service providers deliver outstanding TV experiences to multiple screens, utilising one cloud, on any access network, within the home and on the go.
Cisco introduced two members of the Infinite family namely Infinite Home and Infinite Video. While Infinite Home will cater to any screen over two-way and telco networks, Infinite Video will cater to a variety of consumer electronics devices via unmanaged over-the-top (OTT) Internet connections. Both will deliver full-featured linear, on-demand and cloud DVR (cDVR) video experiences.
Cisco senior vice president and general manager, service provider video software and solutions Yvette Kanouff said, “The video business is changing and consolidating fast. Our customers tell us they need video infrastructure that delivers the most compelling customer experiences to multiple screens, across a dynamic mixture of networks and devices. The result is Cisco Infinite Solutions. No other company has the leadership in cloud and orchestration, the network expertise and the video product scope to deliver anything like this.”
Each solution applies Cisco’s cloud and virtualisation technologies to transform how video works, enabling service providers to cut the time it takes to perform standard business operations, thereby increasing their competitiveness and reducing their costs.
Infinite solutions are pre-integrated to minimise time to deploy, and use open-source components and offer open APIs to enable faster integration and customisation.
Whether Cisco Infinite solutions are deployed as software-as-a-service (SaaS) or private cloud, every Infinite solution is based on the same software components, so video operators initially choosing one solution and deployment mode can easily migrate to others as needs evolve.
N Screen Media digital media analyst and strategic consultant Colin Dixon said, “Getting video services to market quickly and keeping them competitive is crucial to video operators in today’s web-speed marketplace. Cisco’s Infinite cloud and virtualisation solutions suite is exactly the type of technological approach capable of delivering against this need for speed. And that agility will have huge implications for operator competitive position.”
Kabel Deutschland senior vice president Florian Landgraf added, “As we announced in January, Kabel Deutschland is developing a next-generation video service based on a new cloud-powered TV platform. The platform moves control and functionality into the cloud, making it quick and easy for Kabel Deutschland to rapidly update features and offer new services. Kabel Deutschland is working with Cisco on this new platform, which uses Cisco’s Infinite Home solution.”
Eastlink senior vice president engineering and CTO John Fitzgerald said, “We plan to trial Infinite Video next quarter to deliver next-gen personalised video to multiple screens. We need a solution that combines a great user experience and comprehensive video services with fast time-to-market and continuous improvement that only the cloud can deliver. Cisco’s Infinite Video promises these characteristics plus the operational readiness, scale and flexibility we expect from Cisco, and we are looking forward to seeing the product in action.”
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
