News Broadcasting
Dutch cable op Essent Kabelcom partners with Irdeto Access
MUMBAI: The second largest cable operator in the Netherlands, Essent Kabelcom, has selected Irdeto Access, a world leader in content security solutions and subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers, to be part of its new market development model, aimed to boost the roll-out of digital cable television.
Essent Kabelcom, which serves approximately 1.7 million households in the Netherlands, has developed a digital TV offering that responds to consumer demand for digital quality. This trend, fuelled by the sales of wide-screen and plasma TVs, home cinema sets and DVDs, is now complemented by an extensive bouquet of quality digital TV and audio channels that do justice to the investments consumers have made in
their entertainment equipment.
A key component in Essent Kabelcom’s groundbreaking TV Home package is the involvement of a number of consumer electronic market leaders, whose digital set-top boxes licensed by Irdeto Access will be available through normal retail channels. This approach ensures availability and choice for the consumer. The certified set-top boxes have been thoroughly tested against stringent quality and technology
requirements of Irdeto Access and Essent Kabelcom, thus ensuring easy installation and flawless operation.
The bouquet offered by Essent Kabelcom is protected by Irdeto Access’ content security solution; Irdeto PIsys. Irdeto PIsys is a modular conditional access system allowing operators to encrypt and manage their pay-media content on any transmission platform including cable, satellite, terrestrial or IP based networks. It is designed to provide the highest levels of protection possible against the theft of content, assets and revenues, and may be scaled to handle millions of subscribers.
Essent Kabelcom manager digital television Marc Maters said, “We are excited to be able to launch a truly new business model that meets the requirements of our subscribers in terms of choice, price and quality. We believe that our package, built on partnerships with Irdeto Access and trusted consumer electronic A-brands, will boost the migration from analogue to digital television. Essent Kabelcom has chosen Irdeto Access for its flexible service model, entirely tailored to our business needs, in addition to its proven technology and support. Irdeto Access has demonstrated that it can deliver a state-of-the-art product that complies with all our requirements to facilitate a horizontal market model for digital pay-television. Of course we’ll make sure that our current subscribers can keep on using their existing equipment.”
According to Irdeto Access CEO Graham Kill, Essent Kabelcom’s new business model will become the benchmark in Europe for cable operators that want to boost digital television. “We are proud to be selected as the preferred partner in Essent Kabelcom’s innovative market development model. This partnership with Essent Kabelcom reflects our flexibility towards customers’ requests and our commitment to embarking on new journeys with visionary customers that recognise our healthy and pragmatic approach to today’s market needs,” he said.
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. 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.
