Cable TV
MCOF raises questions on Hathway, Den pushing existing STBs under Jio brand
KOLKATA: Maharashtra Cable Operators’ Foundation (MCOF) has flagged off several unethical practices in the television distribution segment. In a letter written to the Telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI), it has alleged that some multi system operators (MSOs) are violating rules and taking the unethical route of business.
MCOF has expressed concern about Den Networks and Hathway for imposing replacement of existing STBs by STBs under Jio brand in the last six months. The federation has claimed that the two MSOs have not replaced the expired standard interconnection agreement (SIA) with the model interconnection agreement (MIA) without offering any explanation for the rebranding.
“The LCOs who resist the imposition are made to toe the line by disabling their access to the Prepaid Portal resulting in service interruptions ton the subscribers. In addition to the arm-twisting, the MSOs have lined up numerous dummy operators to replace the existing LCOs who usurp their business and assets,” the letter added.
MCOF stated that Jio is not a registered MSO nor has it signed interconnection agreement (ICA) with LCOs. Moreover, Hathway and DEN continued to rely upon expired SIA overlooking repeated requests to adopt MIA.
It has also claimed that BRDS provides signal feed to its network in Kolhapur and connected areas but deploys InCable STBs. InCable has been alleged of providing feed to Sampark Network (Powai Mumbai and Bhiwandi Area) through STBs that the latter has deployed.
“We fail to understand as to how auditors have overlooked the mismatch between CAS, STB inventory and conflicting branding, head-ends can be used as pass-through pipes for signals from another MSO, random off-site checks by broadcasters through watermarking have not detected the malpractices,” it added.
Against this context, MCOF has asked copies of ICA between Jio and Broadcasters and status of MSO License to Den and Hathway. It has also called for clarification on whether a mere share purchase deal allows the buyers to change brands and automatically subrogate the company whose shares it buys.
It has also requested the industry watchdog to share the steps it is taking to prevail on MSO to sign up fresh ICA with LCOs by mutual consensus rather than arm-twisting via Prepaid Portal Access denial. MCOF has also asked directions for the course of actions that LCOs should take to safeguard against likely disabling of STBs that are drawing signals from third party head-end or suspension of feed sharing between MSOs.
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.
