Cable TV
India gets it first Indian Idol Junior Anjana Padmanabhan becomes the first Junior Singing sensation
MUMBAI: The show that enthralled viewers across the country and touched a billion hearts, a journey which started with 86 contestants who came from across India has now come to an end as India gets its ‘First Indian Idol Junior’. After three months of rigorous competition, hard work and millions of votes, Anjana Padmanabhan was crowned the winner by none other than the living legend Amitabh Bachchan himself, while Debanjana Mitra, Anmol Jaswal and Nirvesh Dave secured the first and the second runners-up position respectively. The finale was a visual spectacle of sorts with Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Kapoor and Ramcharan setting the stage on fire with their scintillating performances.
The first Indian Idol Junior received a grand prize money of 25 lakhs from Sony Entertainment Television, a Nissan Micra Car, a fixed deposit of 5 Lakhs from Kotak and 2 Lakhs from Horlicks. The grand finale which was aired almost live on Sony Entertainment Television saw the homecoming of the top 11 contestants who entertained the audience with special performances along with electrifying performances by judges Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.
Ecstatic and overwhelmed with her win, Anjana Padmanabhan said, “Although we were competing against each other, we were like a family filled with unique characters and had our moments of joy and sorrow. I am thrilled at having been chosen the nation’s first Indian Idol Junior. All I can say is a big heartfelt thank you for liking me and helping me achieve my dream.
Ms. Sneha Rajani, Senior EVP and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television adds, “I wish Anjana Padmanabhan, the first Indian Idol Junior all the very best for a bright future. Indian Idol Junior has set a new benchmark in the world of singing reality shows. These little wonders have created waves in the entire nation by showcasing their amazing talent.
Anupama Mandloi, Content Head, Fremantle MediaIndia added, “This season is a matter of immense pride for us at Fremantle media. We have unearthed brilliant talent and some of the juniors are sure to make a mark in the music industry. It’s been an enjoyable and collaborative experience and we are all pleased with the show and the worldwide appreciation it has garnered”.
The Indian Idol Junior caravan went across four cities to audition lakhs of young singing talent in search of that one unique voice. This journey brought together a galaxy of bright budding singing talent from nooks and corners of the country. The show grew stronger with each leg passing by; from auditions to the theatre round and gala and finally, the finale.
Keep watching Sony Entertainment Television for some more breathtaking & entertaining shows!
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.
