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Rate hikes, pirated signals lead to blank screens in Gujarat
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: Showtime’s been overtaken by sabre rattling between cable ops and broadcasters in the western state of Gujarat.
Cable operators, who have not taken too kindly to the rate hikes of Sony and Zee and the rider-attached downward revision of Star’s rates, have switched off signals in several parts of Gujarat. Broadcasters, on the other hand, are gearing to tackle the menace of pirated signals as World Cup cricket approaches.
While broadcasters’ maintain the price revisions effective 1 January 2003 have been going on smoothly across MSOs and states, the rumblings are now getting audible.
The One Alliance, which hiked its rates from Rs 40 to Rs 55 effective 1 January, has hired two consultants to keep the menace of pirated signals in check. Sony Entertainment India’s distribution head Shantonu Aditya says a court injunction led to raids on 1 January against Dev Networks in Surat. Two representatives of the cable op were arrested and later let off on bail, says Aditya. FIRs have been registered in six police stations in Surat and adjoining areas against cable ops broadcasting pirated signals. Dev Networks is currently back to the negotiating table with Sony, says Aditya.
Ahead of the World Cup SET-Discovery is aggressively going to crack down on piracy, Aditya asserted. “We are fully prepared to take on the pirates,” he added.
Lead broadcaster Star India is also facing problems in Gujarat. In several parts of Saurashtra and Kutch as well as in south Gujarat, Star has been off air since 1 January. However, Star India corporate communications head Yash Khanna maintains that he expects the issue to be resolved soon and that Star India has not switched off signals anywhere.
Though Star India is yet to sign new subscription deals with big MSOs like Hathway and InCableNet, the company expects that by the time conditional access is fully implemented, its subcriber base would have increased to 12 million cable homes. At present it is about 6 million for the Star Network.
“We are in the process of finalising the deals with bigger MSOs after our new pricing strategy, but we expect that the target of increasing our base would be achieved,” Sameer Nair, COO, Star India told indiantelevision.com.
Nair expressed confidence that in a few days time the deals with InCableNet and Hathway would be finally delivered.
He also said that after the new pricing for the Star channels were announced, “between 60-70 per cent of the cable ops have already signed up.” However, he refused to hazard a guess by what quantum Star Network’s susbcription revenue would go up – or down – after conditional access is implemented and the cable ops sign up as per the new pricing startegy. “But one thing is sure. Our revenue from subscription will certainly go up this year,” Nair asserted
Aditya also exuded confidence about the rollover to the new price structure. It has been smooth going, says Aditya, adding that he expects to have in place six million active paying subscribers by the time the World Cup kicks off mid-February.
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.
