Cable TV
Hathway ropes in Sania Mirza as brand ambassador for broadband service
MUMBAI: It was in October 2013, when multi system operator (MSO) Hathway Cable & Datacom rolled out its Docsis 3.0 service, with ultra high speed internet connectivity of 50mbps. Now, in order to promote it, the MSO has roped in sports personality Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador.
Hathway MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar said, “We are extremely proud to associate with Sania Mirza, the Indian sports icon as she perfectly illustrates the attributes of the new Docsis 3.0 platform–speed, consistency and high- performance. Hathway has aligned with one of the major visions of the Indian government to develop digital infrastructure in the country that will boost productivity in all sectors. In a way to contribute towards this big vision and to provide better user experience, we at Hathway have launched the Docsis 3.0 service that will provide users – fast internet up to 50 mbps speed.”
“With the impending data consumption explosion in India, Hathway’s high-speed internet service is a game changer in India. It is vital to have a disruption free service at affordable prices. Docsis 3.0 will create a revolution in the market. We shall continue to invest in expanding the high speed broadband network and deliver plans with lightning fast speeds that is crucial for superior consumer experiences,” he added.
Speaking on the fast exploding internet consumption in the country, Hathway president Rajan Gupta said, “The digital change is not only sweeping across gen-next but also among the older generation. Today the internet has come a long way, to become a household product that is synonymous with utility, functionality, fun, entertainment, knowledge and much more. With multiple high-tech gadgets being connected to the internet, the time spent on the medium is increasing at a galloping rate. The bustling e-commerce phenomenon, online shopping, social networking, online surfing, audio & video streaming, gaming, cloud computing, all go on to emphasize the momentum and traffic internet has gathered in the recent years in India.”
According to Gupta, the phenomenon of internet adoption is expected to leapfrog in the next five years. “In such a scenario speed and cost plan has always been the constant benchmarks for choosing broadband connection. With Hathway Docsis 3.0, that provides 10 times the internet speed, we aim to democratize broadband making it accessible to all at affordable price points. The benchmark we have set in terms of our 50 mbps speed is much comparable with the advanced broadband markets across the world. While we introduce the new network plan, we think this is the right time to establish our footprint in the internet broadband industry,” he concluded.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
