News Broadcasting
No agreement, but IBF, MSOs continue discussions
NEW DELHI: The meetings that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) panel had separately today with some of the MSOs in Delhi over various issues relating to conditional access system (CAS) proved to be inconclusive, though both the MSOs and the broadcasters said it was “positive step” in the right direction as such meetings had never been held in the past.
According to information available with indiantelevision.com, the various MSO representatives have asked for a distribution margin around 70 per cent, something which did bother the broadcasters whose point of view was that these margins are much above global trends.
According to an IBF source, “Our aim is simple: dispel the perception that broadcasters are against CAS. Rather, such meetings now will be an ongoing process and broadcasters would like to sort out contentious issues with the cable industry. After all, we are all part of the same big industry.”
The individual meetings went on for long and some more with big independent cable operators are also scheduled tomorrow. It seems that both the broadcasters and the cable industry want to go into tomorrow’s government-piloted task force meeting on CAS with something to show.
In the last task force meeting held about 10 days ago, the chairman of the task force, Rakesh Mohan, joint secretary in the information and broadcasting ministry, had requested the broadcasters and the cable industry to sort out issues like distribution margins amongst themselves so that the panel could take forward the implementation of CAS to its logical end.
Pointing out that the talks today did not bring out things in black and white, a senior representative of an MSO told indiantelevision.com that when queried on the individual pricing of channels in a bouquet, the IBF panel is reported to have said that this was an issue that should be discussed with individual broadcasters.
The IBF source said, “Now these discussions should be held individually with broadcasters as the plans each broadcaster are different.”
The broadcasters’ stand has been that unless the pricing of free to air channels in the basic tier in a post CAS regime is defined, it would be difficult to arrive at individual pricing of channels in a bouquet.
Various bouquets are priced differently and in most of them there are some ‘weak’ channels that ride the package. For example, the Zee Music channel in the Zee Turner bouquet or National Geographic Channel in the Star bouquet or Animal Planet in the One Alliance are considered `weak’ channels and the government has directed that when CAS is implemented the pricing of each channel should also be made public to be displayed by cable operators for the consumers’ benefit.
Star India representative during one of the meetings with Siti Cable is reported to have said that a 70 per cent distribution margin is on the higher side as the global trend puts the figure around between 50-55 per cent.
An MSO is also reported to have opined that if individual meetings with broadcasters need to take place then a time-bound schedule should also be given as this process may be time consuming.
The MSOs’ stand has been that unless the broadcasters sort out such issues they would be unable to firm up a business plan and order equipment needed for implementing CAS — again a matter that was discussed during the last task force meeting.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
