News Broadcasting
Mumbai MSOs reach common cause on hike in subscription rates
How well it will work in the rest of the country remains to be seen. But the leading cable MSOs in Mumbai have decided to work jointly to implement an across the board structured increase in cable television subscription rates. The process, which kicks off on 1 May, will see monthly subscription hitting an upper slab ceiling of Rs 360 within the next six months.
The hikes, which are being instituted as part of a two slab structure linked to locality and paying capacity, will mean subscribers will have to pay Rs 300 per month in the lower slab before the year is out or face disconnection.
All the leading cable MSOs in Mumbai – Hinduja Group’s IncableNet, Rajan Raheja’s Hathway Cable & Datacom (in which Rupert Murdoch’s Star India officially has a 26 per cent stake), Wincable (in which Hathway holds almost 100 per cent stake), Subhash Chandra’s Zee Group cable arm Siticable, and Seven Star Networks Ltd – have decided to implement these rates.
There are some reports that certain building societies in south Mumbai have issued notices to their members opposing the move saying they will not accept a rate above Rs 250 a month. However, Anand Patwardhan, chairman, Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI), was of the view that because cable companies had formed what he termed a cartel, there was little chance of serious opposition from consumers.
The bedrock of this deal is that the big cable companies will have to adhere to a no-poaching agreement wherein they stick to their own turfs. The unique way the Indian pay TV market has grown has meant that Indian MSOs have fought to get control of local cable operators, to make sure that they gain maximum subscriber households. Local cable operators have in the past used it to their benefit by playing one MSO against another.
As to whether this formula would be applied in other parts of the country, the word is that these issues are being looked into.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
