Cable TV
Indian broadcasting & cable TV market to surpass $19 billion by 2026, says report
NEW DELHI: 2020 was packed with unforeseen highs and lows for the Indian broadcasting and cable TV sector. From record viewership, to plummeting ad revenues, to the NTO 2.0 wrangle, the industry is still in a rather precarious position. Despite these challenges, the broadcast and cable TV market, currently valued at $11.61 billion, is expected to reach $19.06 billion by FY2026, states a report by TechSci Research.
The India Broadcasting and Cable TV Market report holds favourable regulations, technological advancements and growing investment opportunities as key factors driving this growth. The increasing demand for TV sets, especially in rural India, is also further boosting the market. Moreover, the expansion of the entertainment industry with greater demand for international TV channels and shows will propel the growth of this sector through FY2026.
In recent times, India has witnessed a surge in active subscriber base with entry of various multi system operators (MSOs). The digitisation of cable TV in the country is at an advanced stage with markets driven by content innovation and product offerings. Direct-to-home (DTH) subscriptions are growing rapidly with increasing per capita disposable income. The increased usage of 3G and 4G services along with an influx of new content creation methods are some other contributors expected to drive the growth of the Indian broadcasting and cable TV market.
Increasing disposable income coupled with rising urbanisation has changed the preferences of Indian consumers towards enhanced experience of television viewing. The concept of home theatre has been gaining traction among the new generation, with people always looking for advanced viewing options and latest technologies to better their experience. These factors are expected to fuel growth in the country’s TV and broadcasting market over the next five years.
Also, there is a rising trend for personalised experience and premium television cable and DTH offerings in India, wherein customers demand personalised channels, picture quality, multiple functionalities in set top boxes, such as a different screen for children, etc. This would likely continue in the coming years as one of major trends for TV and broadcasting industry during the forecast period.
“Southern region accounts for more than 31 per cent of the demand in India’s broadcasting and cable TV market and the region is expected to continue its dominance in the country during the forecast period as well. Major demand in the southern region is coming from Bengaluru, Kerala, and Karnataka. The area has seen significant developments since the recent years regarding broadcasting and cable technology,” said TechSci research director Karan Chechi.
India’s broadcasting and cable TV market can be segmented based on type, revenue generation, and region. Based on type, cable TV and satellite accounted for the dominant share as an increasing number of users are shifting towards DTH services from the traditional cable operators, due to high picture quality and affordable prices.
Some of the major players operating in this segment include Siti Networks, DEN Networks, Tata Sky, GTPL Hathway, Sun Direct TV, Dish TV India, Bharti Telemedia, NXTDIGITAL, Fastway Transmission, and Asianet Satellite Communications, among others.
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.
