Cable TV
Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks
MUMBAI: A new name brings in new vibes and possibly a new direction. At least that ‘s what the Essel group is aiming for if one goes by the name change it has resorted to at its national cable TV MSO Siti Cable. Last week, It informed the Bombay stock exchange, that it will be called Siti Networks as it has got shareholders (earlier) and the Registrars’ approval on 5 August for the renaming. The company was originally incorporated as Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd.
As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Siti Networks reported 29.4 per cent growth in revenue for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current fiscal). The company reported revenue of Rs 1213 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 937 crore in the previous year. Operating profit (EBIDTA) in the current year increased to Rs 323 crore as compared to Rs 168.4 crore in FY-15.
The company has reported a profitable turnaround for the first time in its history. Neglecting the impact of minority interest, Siti profit after tax in the current year was Rs 6.84 crore as compared to a loss (without factoring in minority interest) of Rs 101.88 crore in FY-15.The company’s loss in the current year declined to Rs 1.71 crore from a loss of Rs 109.10 crore in FY-15. Siti reported profit before tax (PBT) at Rs 22 crore in FY16 as compared to a negative PBT of Rs 85.2 crore.
Siti’s cable subscribers in FY-16 grew to 1.22 crore from 1.05 crore reported at the end of FY-15. The growth happened in Q3-16.
On the other hand the digital subscribers in FY-16 increased to 79 lakh (64.8 percent of cable subscribers) as compared to 53.8 lakh in FY-15 (51.2 percent of cable subscribers). Digital subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased by 11 lakh to 79 lakh as compared to 68 lakh in Q3-16.
Whereas, the broadband subscribers in FY-16 grew 93.3 percent to1.355 lakh from 0.701 lakh in FY-15. Broadband subscribers in Q3-16 were 1.07 lakh.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
