I&B Ministry
Pandey Panel ignores Reddy’s suggestions; moratorium to continue
BANGALORE: The Karnataka state government formed Pandey Panel has decided to ignore Information and Broadcasting minister’s gentle pressure on Karnataka CM Dharam Singh and decided to continue the seven-week moratorium on release of non-Kannada films.
The film exhibitors were conspicuous by their absence.
Theaters, which used to run non-Kannada films foresee a bleak future if they are not permitted to release films at the same time as all over India and the world. Many owners are considering converting their properties to shopping malls or developing properties there.
Of the 68 theaters which shut shops following the call given by the now dissolved Karnataka Cinema Owners Theater Association (KCTOA), four had already started screening English films. Another 50 may start operations by screening Kannada films, subject to availability. The film exhibitors have given up hope saying that the Karnataka Film Producers Association (KFPA) is too strong. So in Karnataka, might is right and the government seems to be practically doing nothing to sort out the issue.
In yet another development, actor turned politician Ambarish has been given the responsibility to mediate and sort the issue. He is supposed to meet all the three directly effected parties – KFPA, exhibitors and distributors on 15 September.
I&B Ministry
MIB cancels registrations of 114 MSOs in compliance crackdown
Total active MSOs now 756 after 1,159 exits since early 2025.
MUMBAI- MIB just pulled the plug on 114 more cable operators because when the regulator says “cut the cord,” it really means cut the cord. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has cancelled the registrations of 114 multi-system operators (MSOs) for non-compliance, denial of security clearance and suppression of critical information, continuing its year-long clean-up of India’s cable distribution ecosystem.
As of 28 February 2026, the total number of registered MSOs has fallen to 756 after 1,159 operators exited the market through cancellations, voluntary surrenders or lapsed licences. This follows a similar exercise in the previous year when, as of 31 March 2025, around 1,045 registrations had expired, been surrendered or cancelled, bringing the count down from higher levels to 845 before the latest round.
The sustained contraction signals a structural shift toward a more organised, compliant sector. Regulatory scrutiny has intensified on operational transparency, adherence to licensing norms and security clearances, effectively weeding out smaller or non-compliant players.
Industry observers view the moves as a deliberate push toward consolidation, where only operators meeting strict standards remain active. Additional rejections of over 14 applications last year on grounds such as non-payment of dues and suppression of information further underscore the ministry’s stricter stance.
In India’s cable TV landscape, where channels once multiplied faster than viewers could count them, MIB is quietly rewiring the entire grid, one cancellation at a time until only the cleanest signals survive.
