News Broadcasting
Sarma calls for a ‘level-playing field’ in broadcasting sector
NEW DELHI: Terming the broadcasting scenario in India as “hazy”, Prasar Bharati Corp chief executive officer K S Sarma has called for a ‘level-playing field’ through a fair regulatory framework in the country.
The chairperson and keynote speaker in the “Broadcasting Technologies” session at the 12th Convergence India conference and exhibition, held here on Friday, Sarma said, “At the moment its free-for-all. We as public broadcaster find ourselves at wits end. Currently, broadcasting in India is mere profit-driven or commercial consideration. I am not passing any value judgment but this market seems to be the case of being of a democratic nation with no regulation.”
He further said, “The need of the hour is law. Yes, recently regulator has been appointed but it seems to be groping a lot even though telecom is a closely connected sector to broadcasting. There is a need for a very strong political will, manifested to support a public broadcaster.”
Sarma said there is a comparison with private broadcasters, which are “seemingly flourishing on paper”, but there seems to be ignorance about the fact programming and advertising codes in public broadcaster are completely different.
“The cable operators, which is again a professional for profit considerations, need improvement in skills. The main challenge is to make the cable operators more professional. I would say the cable operator is the king, rather than consumer. It should be the other way round, unfortunately that is not the case,” said Sarma.
While Sarma reiterated the limitation of public broadcaster on technological/market levels and left soon after his presentation, the other speakers spoke about technologies and trends.
Harmonic Inc’s president – Convergent Systems division, Yaron Simler shared his views on key enablers and drivers of change in the broadcasting cable fraternity.
“The key enablers are conversion from analog to digital video, ubiquitous content, head-end consolidation, IP transport and distribution, intelligent end device and bigger TV screens, where quality becomes more important and drives consumer demand. The drivers of change are sociological (Internet and cell phones), consumer experience such as video-on-demand, technology – satellite vs cable vs telcom companies, competition and global economy,” said Simler.
Simler said that the video technology blocks are digital video, conditional access and set-top box. “In case of digital video, it is MPEG-2 today, but it can be MPEG4 or VC-9 tomorrow,” he added.
Viaccess S. A. India sales manager M Stephane Pradinaud spoke about new video services such as VOD and digital/personal video recorders.
“The benefits of VOD to operators include churn reduction and average revenue per user rises, depending upon pricing strategy,” said Pradinaud.
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.
