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The television exodus: Indian broadcasters pull the plug
NEW DELHI: The writing was on the wall—or rather, on the smartphone screen. India’s television industry is staging a hasty retreat, with some 50 channels surrendering their broadcasting licences over the past three years as viewers abandon their sofas for streaming services and free-to-air alternatives, according to a report in The Economic Times (quoting information and broadcasting ministry data).
The casualty list reads like a who’s who of Indian broadcasting. JioStar, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Eenadu Television, TV Today Network, NDTV and ABP Network have all thrown in the towel on various channels, according to data from the ministry of information and broadcasting. Even Enter10 Media, which runs Dangal—one of the country’s top ten channels by viewership—has shelved expansion plans, surrendering licences for Dangal HD and Dangal Oriya. (The Economic Times report does not elaborate on how many new licences have been issued in the past three years.)
The exodus tells a tale of two Indias. Affluent households are jumping ship to over-the-top platforms, whilst price-conscious viewers are migrating to DD Free Dish, the government’s free satellite service. Caught in this pincer movement, pay direct-to-home subscribers have plummeted from 72 million in the fiscal year 2019 to 62 million in 2024, with Crisil projecting a further slide below 51 million this year.
The advertising coffers are running dry, too. WPP forecasts that television ad revenue will drop 1.5 per cent in 2025 to Rs 47,740 crore, even as India’s overall advertising market balloons to Rs 2 lakh crore by 2026. That divergence speaks volumes: the money is flowing, just not to legacy television.
Broadcasters have not gone quietly. Industry bodies argue they face a David-and-Goliath regulatory mismatch, saddled with multiple layers of licensing, content rules and pricing controls whilst OTT platforms swan about with far lighter oversight. JioStar ditched licences for MTV Beats, VH1 and Comedy Central, citing “internal business decisions”—corporate-speak for “we’re haemorrhaging money.” ABP Network shut ABP News HD, blaming steep operational costs and anaemic revenues.
Yet India’s television landscape remains vast. The ministry still authorises 916 channels for downlinking, including 572 free-to-air and 334 pay channels. The question is how many will still be standing when the dust settles. For now, the Indian viewing public has voted with its remote control—and increasingly, it is switching off the television altogether.
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.
