Cable TV
MIB simplifies process of registration for India’s cable TV operators
UMBAI: India’s ministry of Information and broadcasting has issued an advisory on 17 January outlining significant changes to the registration process for local cable operators (LCOs) and multi-system operators (MSOs) under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
The advisory highlights that, as per Section 3 of the Act, operating a cable television network without registration is prohibited. Applicants are now required to register or renew their registration online through the newly established Broadcast Seva Portal. This modernised approach addresses long-standing concerns regarding the cumbersome manual registration processes previously employed.
Pursuant to the above, the central government has now introduced key amendments to the Rule vide Notification S. 0. No. 65(E) dated 17 January2025. Further, in exercise of powers conferred under clause (h) of Section 2 of the CTN Act, 1995, a notification vide S.O. No.315(E) dated 17 January , 2025 notifying the section Officer and additional joint secretary to be the registering authorities for LCOs and MSOs respectively, has been issued.
Key amendments outlined in the advisory include:
Online Registration: LCO registration will be facilitated online via the Broadcast Seva Portal.
Validity Extension: The registration will now be valid for five years, increased from one year.
Processing Fee: The registration fee has been set at Rs 5,000.
National Registration Number: Registered LCOs will receive a unique National Registration Number valid throughout India.
The new registering authority for LCOs will be designated section officers handling digital addressable systems (DAS) in the ministry. Additionally, applicants will need to verify their identity online using PAN, Aadhaar, and other required documents, with Aadhaar sharing being voluntary.
Current LCOs are urged to apply for their registration renewal at least 90 days before expiration. Those with applications pending at local head post offices must withdraw and reapply through the Broadcast Seva Portal.
The Ministry encourages all interested parties to take immediate action and offers support via a dedicated helpline (011-23381707) and toll-free number (18002127307), which are also available on the portal.
These changes aim to streamline the registration process and enhance the operational framework for cable television networks in India.
The advisory can be downloaded from this link b clicking on the word advisory
The notification of the process of registration can be downloaded by clicking on the word notification
The notification empowering the section officer for LCOs and the additional joint secretary in the case of MSOs can downloaded by clicking on the word notification.
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.
