Cable TV
Siti Cable acquires RPG cable biz
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MUMBAI: In a move that is likely to surprise many in the cable & satellite television industry, the Zee Telefilms controlled Siti Cable has concluded a deal to take control of RPG owned cable networks in Kolkata. |
 The agreement was reached early this morning in Kolkata where senior Siti Cable executives are camping at the moment. The enterprise value of RPG Netcom is estimated to be around Rs 350 million.
Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Zee Telefilms additional vice-chairman and Siti Cable head Jawahar Goel confirmed the development. |
According to him, ” RPG’s buy-out will lend momentum to Siti Cable’s expansion plan.” He added that the “proactive role” of the West Bengal government will go a long way in addressing the concerns of the cable industry.
RPG Netcom is the largest muti-system operator (MSO) in Kolkata controlling 60 per cent of the city’s approximately 1.2 million cable homes. Until about a month ago, media was rife with reports that the Sun Network owned SCV had more or less concluded the deal to buy out the largest MSO in Kolkata. Ernst & Young was, reportedly, working as a facilitator for the SCV- RPG deal. Later in the day, a press release was issued by SitiCable stating that Siti – RPG deal is a strategic acquisition of Siticable, which has further strengthened its nation-wide distribution network, in tune with the current strategic processes at Zee. The media release also adds that as part of same strategy, Siticable has taken on lease two prominent cable networks of Bangalore namely, Ice Network and Atria Network. Siti Cable has taken other measures as well to consolidate its cable distribution strength through an affiliation scheme, which has received enthusiastic response from various cable networks of the country, particularly in Eastern UP, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat and Haryana |
Cable TV
Siti Cable launches Crunchyroll Anime Stream channel with Sony YAY!
New partnership brings dedicated anime channel to Indian cable viewers
MUMBAI: Siti Cable has launched a new anime-focused channel, ‘Crunchyroll Anime Stream’, in partnership with Sony YAY!, marking a fresh push to expand anime access on traditional cable platforms in India.
The channel, which went live on April 21, is positioned as one of the first collaborations of its kind between a television network and a cable operator to deliver a dedicated anime service. The move reflects growing demand for Japanese animation among Indian audiences, particularly in regional language formats.
The programming lineup includes globally popular titles such as Naruto, Black Clover, and Robotan, with a focus on dubbed content to cater to local viewers. The catalogue aligns with similar anime offerings currently available across direct-to-home and cable platforms.
The launch adds momentum to a broader trend. Over the past year, several platforms have experimented with dedicated anime channels. Services linked to Crunchyroll have appeared across operators like Dish TV, Tata Play, and Airtel Digital TV, signalling steady interest in the genre.
Backed by Sony Pictures Networks India, Sony YAY! has been steadily expanding its anime footprint, and this latest partnership strengthens its distribution reach beyond digital and DTH ecosystems into cable households.
The bigger picture is clear. Anime is no longer a niche in India. With multiple platforms now investing in dedicated channels and localised content, it is quickly becoming a mainstream entertainment category.
For Siti Cable and Sony YAY!, this launch is not just about adding another channel. It is about tapping into a fast-growing fandom and turning appointment viewing into a daily habit for India’s anime audience.
