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GUEST COLUMN: Why Indian broadcasting needs a regulatory reset in 2026
The wait for 100 billion USD M&E
The 2012 Media and Entertainment (M&E) Outlook Report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), an industry body, identified the sector’s potential to become a 100 billion USD market. In 2015, reports forecast that the industry would hit this target in 2025. However, the FICCI-EY annual report pegged the industry at 2.3 trillion rupees (US$29.4 billion), and estimated that it would grow at 7.2 per cent this year and reach 2.7 trillion rupees (US$31.6 billion) in 2025 – well off estimates from a decade ago. As we look ahead, the wide gap between expectation and reality calls for introspection – what stifled growth in the past decade, and what must be done differently in the next to meet the elusive 100 billion target?
Digital did not kill the TV star
The song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, and Bruce Woolley in 1979 symbolised a transition in audience preferences from radio to TV in the United States. Many prophesied TV would meet the same fate as radio with digital gaining popularity. But the picture we are seeing today is far from it. OTTs did disrupt the traditional distribution route, but they did not lead to cord-cutting as they did in other countries. Instead, TV households became multi-screen and connected TV households, content producers developed hybrid strategies to decide how they monetise content libraries, deepen audience engagement, and expand ad inventories across platforms.
US customers pay almost INR 8000 per month for TV whilst Indian households pay between 200 and 400. A 2022 BIF-CUTS survey found that 70 per cent of consumers believed that television offers a value-for-money proposition. Streaming is a cheaper alternative in the US and other countries where cord-cutting is prevalent, but it is not the case in India. Here, TV continues to serve the needs of 182 million households and makes up 40 per cent of the M&E industry’s revenues, according to various estimates. In 2025, the IPL recorded 456 billion minutes of watch-time on TV, reflecting the continuing popularity of television in the country.
Regulations inhibit TV from unlocking potential
TV could be doing much better and contributing more to M&E fortunes. But legacy economic regulations restrict key monetisation avenues and force linear TV to compete for audience attention with one hand tied behind its back. For instance, regulations inhibit broadcasters from charging families and commercial outlets like cafés and hotels differently, despite the huge footfall these entities attract during live events like cricket matches. Entire pubs and restaurants reserve entry for fans, but pay the same as a household of four would. This is not the case with any other creative industry. Hotels pay more royalties to play music in their premises to a large gathering, and artists charge businesses differently from individuals.
At the heart of the issues is the sectoral regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) approach. TRAI mandates broadcasters to sell content to distribution platform operators (DPOs), who then sell it forward to customers. It is a legacy construct structured on the fragile B2B-to-B2C model. The supply chain was relevant twenty years ago to reach last-mile consumers. However, newer digitisation and encryption technologies and deep connectivity penetration have changed this scenario. Retaining the B2B-to-B2C model creates friction and leads to increased costs.
Broadcasters have invested in technology and developed the capacity to sell directly to customers, but there is no reward for their efforts. They must go through licensed distributors to reach consumers. In other countries, broadcasters can provide customised channels and bundling options to consumers. TRAI regulations foreclose broadcasters’ ability to innovate, reinvest in premium content, scale local productions, and attract global capital – all of which could ensure that consumers have a better viewing experience and more choice.
Way forward
The broadcasting sector is overwhelmed by a patchwork of regulations that have not kept pace with technological advances. 2026 brings an opportunity to reset how we think of broadcasting regulation. Reports suggest that the Union government may remove broadcasting from TRAI’s purview – a longstanding demand from broadcasters who seek a light-touch, predictable, and internationally aligned approach.
TRAI or not, restrictions on channel pricing and bundling, duration of advertisements, and the inability to charge ordinary and commercial subscribers distinctly are legacy constructs that must be shed. Broadcasters are doing their bit by investing in innovative content and technological upgrades to keep up in a highly competitive environment. Consumers remain at the core of this investment, be it in dynamic ad insertions to show relevant ads, or expanding the choice of content and mode of consumption for users.
If India wants to position itself as a global content hub and achieve long-stated industry targets, the government will need to back the medium that continues to serve the content needs of almost 70 per cent of the population. Broadcasters need the freedom to innovate, the incentives to invest, and a policy environment that sees their potential as growth engines.
Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect our own.
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.
