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TRAI report: Broadband sector saw growth of 36.52% in 2019
MUMBAI: TRAI in its annual report has stated that in the last ten years a substantial number of HD pay television channels have been launched by broadcasters. As on 31 March 2019, there are a total of 99 operational HD channels.
Let’s have look at detailed description below:
Internet and Broadband subscribers
The Internet subscriber base in the country as on 31 March 2019 was 636.73 million in comparison to 493.96 million in March 2018. The total broadband subscriber base of the country as on 31 March 2019 stood at 563.31 million whereas it was 412.60 million as of 31 March 2018.
The broadcasting and cable TV services sector and FM Radio services continue to exhibit growth over the two decades. Equivalent to the growth in the subscriber base, the number of platforms & service providers has also increased. The broadcasting sector comprises of cable TV services, DTH services, terrestrial TV services, HITS services, IPTV services, and broadcast radio services.
Satellite TV channels
Currently, there are 902 private satellite TV channels permitted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting by the end of the financial year 2018-19, out of which, 229 are SD pay-TV channels and 99 are HD Pay TV channels. The number of Standard Definition (SD) pay-TV channels have grown from 147 in the year 2010 to 229 in 2019.
DTH Services
Ever since its introduction in the year 2003, Indian DTH service has displayed a phenomenal growth. DTH has attained a net active subscriber base of around 72.44 million. At the end of March 2019, there are 5 pay DTH service providers catering to this subscriber base. The database rose to 72.44 in 2019 as compared to 67.53 in 2018.
Apart from an increase in the availability of conventional TV channels, the pay DTH operators have continued to add several innovative offerings and value-added services (VAS) such as movie-on-demand, gaming, shopping, education etc.
Cable TV
The Cable TV segment is the largest of the TV service sector with an estimated subscriber base of around 103 million subscribers
As per the statistics, the pay TV universe consists of around 103 million Cable TV subscribers, 72.44 million active DTH subscribers and 1.5 million HITS subscribers. Where the terrestrial TV network of Doordarshan alone covers about 92 per cent of India’s population connected via a vast network of terrestrial transmitters. The TV broadcasting sector includes 350 broadcasters, out of which, 39 are pay broadcasters.
Talking about the television distribution side there are 1469 Multi-System Operators (MSOs) coming under the wings with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), an estimated number of 60,000 cable operators, 5 pay DTH operators, 2 HITS operators, and a few IPTV operators. Apart from this public service broadcaster-Doordarshan, also provides a free-to-air DTH service in India.
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.
