News Broadcasting
Conax obtains CA certificate from SARFT
MUMBAI: Conax AS received the State Administration of Film and Television (SARFT) CA certification for supplying its conditional access solution to the Chinese market. Conex, a leading supplier of conditional access technology for digital TV made the announcement on 11 May 2004.
Conax has fulfilled all the requirements set by the Chinese SARFT for its conditional access system Conax CAS5. The system has received SARFTs class A certification, the highest certification level for CA systems in China. This certification qualifies Conax for large scale operations in the Chinese market. SARFT reports directly to the State Council and is responsible for controlling the access to satellite and cable networks in China as well as supervising their operations
Conax Shenzhen Representative Office’ chief representative and general manager Oystein Larsen said, “Receiving this CA certification is a vital step in Conax commitment to succeed in the Chinese market and we are proud of being granted this official approval. Conax is well established in China with a Representative Office in Shenzhen, and highly prepared to serve this promising market”.
He further added, “We are working on several interesting projects at the moment and expect to have our conditional access solution operational in the market in the near future”.
Conax CAS5 is a world class conditional access system for DVB/MPEG-2 transmissions, designed for applications like satellite feeds to cable head ends, contribution links, closed user groups and large-scale DTH operations. Conax CAS5 is built on Conax’ strong security technology platform and long experience, and it offers operators conditional access technology which meshes a variety of operational requirements and business models. Conax CAS5 support is available with a large number of STBs and the most important multiplexer platforms, providing maximum flexibility for the operators.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
