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Over 4 million global TV subs added in Q4
MUMBAI: The informitv Multiscreen Index’s top 100 TV services added a total of 4.33 million pay-TV subscribers in the last quarter of 2017 as compared with 3.70 million in the previous quarter and 4.03 million in the last quarter of 2016. India lead the top 10 services in the Asia Pacific region, which cumulatively added a total of 1.65 million. Dish TV and Videocon d2h, which have since merged, added 360,000 subscribers between them.
The Multiscreen Index is based on a quarterly survey of 100 leading television services worldwide. Over half of them reported subscriber gains in the last quarter of 2017, but these were largely offset by subscriber losses elsewhere.
The majority of the gains were once again in the Asia Pacific region, which added 2.35 million subscribers, which is fewer than in the preceding two quarters but about the same number as in the comparable quarter a year previously.
Satellite services led the worldwide overall gains, adding 1.87 million subscribers worldwide. That is despite DIRECTV losing 147,000 satellite subscribers, which was the largest loss among services in the index.
“Although there is a popular perception that pay television subscriber numbers are falling, they are continuing to grow worldwide at a rate of around 1 per cent a quarter,” said Dr William Cooper, the editor of the informitv Multiscreen Index. “Much of the growth is in developing economies. Although average revenues are lower, there is still significant potential, with worldwide gains of around 10 per cent forecast over the next five years.”
“Among the 100 services in the Multiscreen Index, there are almost as many subscribers in the Asia Pacific region as the Americas,” noted informitv analyst Dr Sue Farrell. “The merged Dish TV and Videocon d2h in India now has 29.51 million satellite subscribers, which is more than AT&T has with DirecTV, U-verse and DirecTV NOW combined.”
The Multiscreen Index comprises 100 multichannel television and video services that collectively account for around 440 million subscribing homes worldwide. The index provides an industry benchmark of the relative performance of television service providers against which customer gains or losses can be measured.
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NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
