GECs
Digital platforms to lead future growth
MUMBAI: The direct-to-home (DTH) market is set for an explosion. Revenues from DTH operations is expected to touch Rs 40 billion in 2010, up from Rs 3.8 billion in 2006.
Speaking today at the first of a series of interactions between the television industry and media, Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna said the surge in revenues was based on a projected subscriber base of 11 million, as compared to two million in 2006.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) is expected go up from Rs 200 in 2006 to Rs 300 in 2010. The cable TV penetration would increase from 53 million to 77 million households during this period, Khanna said.
He was addressing the first of the Blink knowledge series on “DTH and Distribution,”organised by Tam Media Research and Press Club, Mumbai. The other two sessions will be on news channels and regulation of the TV industry, spread over the next two Fridays.
The entry cost was a major hindrance to the growth of DTH subscribers, Khanna said. But after Dish TV slashed hardware and software prices by half, the offtake has speeded up with 2,000 activations being added dup every ay.
“We have touched close to 250, 000 subscribers. Earlier we were just adding up 300 subscribers a day,” he said.
With popular channels from the Star and Sony bouquet not on Dish TV platform, the growth of the DTH platform has been affected. “Some of the popular channels are not available on our platform. The challenge for the regulator is to get the regulations implemented,” Khanna said. DTH operators are now required to give an undertaking that they would not deprive their content to other competing platforms at the time of being issued a licence, he added.
Dish TV will launch pay-per-view and near video-on-demand (NVoD) by June-end, he said. On the content side, the plan is to offer 150 channels by the end of the year. Currently, Dish TV offers 117 channels to its subscribers.
Speaking on the opportunities thrown up by digital TV distribution, Win Cable and ETC Networks CEO Jagjit Singh Kohli said the market was on the verge of witnessing revolutionary growth. DTH and digital cable TV have huge potential in India, even though there would be competition from IPTV players like Reliance and Tatas. State-owned telecom operators BSNL and MTNL were also gearing up for the challenge.
“The traffic of channels is more than the capacity on the analogue cable systems. So digital is the only way forward,” he said.
But how prepared are the rating measurement agencies? TAM announced that it was technologically ready to meet the new broadcast environment emerging in India and had the capability to measure TV audiences across diverse technology platforms like DTH and broadband. “Irrespective of any delivery platform, TV viewership can be measured through our digital peoplemeters. Our parent company has developed the new digital peoplemeters called TVM 5,” said TAM CEO LV Krishnan.
The session was also addressed by PanAmSat managing director N Sampath. Satellite & Cable TV editor Dinyar Contractor moderated the session.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
