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Guest Column: 3 drivers lending power to create impact in Indian TV industry
The Indian Media & Entertainment industry is categorised across nine segments of which Television by far is the largest and is expected to be the largest in the next couple of years.
India is the second largest Television market in the world characterised by rising number of subscribers.
Three top long term growth catalysts that are acting as the biggest drivers for the Television industry are:
1. Growing Rural Demand
2. Increasing FTA channels, and
3. Deeper Audience Measurement
Growing Rural Demand
Digitisation which is expected to be completed in 2017 is leading to higher digital access and consumption. High data consumption has already been experienced and there are encouraging trends with rising internet and broadband penetration, declining data charges, proliferation of internet enabled mobile phone, government and private initiatives around wifi and greater emphasis on broadband roll-out by MSOs. This has led to an unprecedented advertiser interest in digital which played out with a strong performance of digital in 2016. OTT is therefore seeing a major traction wherein both digital VOD and TV would see a harmonious co-existence.
Increasing FTA channels
The big story is 2016 has been that of the rural viewership habits. BARC viewership data for rural has thrown up interesting insights and goldmine data about rural viewing habits and hence the proliferation of FTA channels. This development will however require realignment of content for mass tastes.
Deeper Audience Measurement
With viewership data leading to better consumer analytics and with advertiser focus and monies increasing in rural HSMs, scientific audience measurement will be the third most important driver for the television industry.
Conclusion
The global economy grew at 2.6% in 2016 while the Indian economy is projected to grow at 7.1% in 2017. The long-term future for the television industry is very robust with CAGR projections above 14% for both segments of ad revenues and subscription revenues.
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(Piyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.) |
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
