Cable TV
US cable firm Comcast to launch an exercise channel
MUMBAI: US cable firm Comcast in conjunction with fitness expert Jake Steinfeld and equity partners New Balance and Time Warner Cable, has launched Exercise TV.
This is an on-demand network dedicated to fitness, sports instruction and motivational programming.
During a pre-launch trial period with Comcast, Exercise TV video on demand (VOD) reached more than two million views per month. 20 million workouts were viewed over the course of the trial.
ExerciseTV is a network developed exclusively for VOD and emerging media formats, such as wireless and online video, which represents a significant shift from the traditional television programming and advertising model.
Rather than 30 to 60 second ads, sponsor-branded messages are completely integrated into the content of the network and include: product placement, branded graphic overlays and educational video segments developed in conjunction with sponsors.
New Balance is the first brand to sign a multi- million dollar deal with Exercise TV and is the exclusive athletic footwear and apparel sponsor of the network.
Comcast COO Steve Burke says, “ExerciseTV represents the next generation of television networks we are developing that are created for time-shifted, on-demand viewing. Fitness content is ideally suited for video on demand, and the multi-billion dollar home exercise market offers a great business opportunity for additional exercisetv sponsors. This partnership also is a major step in the evolution of advertising through new and innovative formats.”
With more than 90 programs available at any time, ExerciseTV offers something for all fitness levels, interests and demographics. Popular and innovative programs include:
— Cardio — Seniors workouts
— Pilates — Pre- and post-natal workouts
— Yoga — Spanish-language workouts
— Tai Chi — Sport-specific training and tips
— Sculpting and toning — Advice on selecting the right workout
— Dancing clothing and shoes
— Walking — Jake Motivates
— Kids workouts
The network’s website www.exercisetv.tv will become an online destination for additional fitness resources, including tips for planning workout schedules and program samples. In the coming months, viewers will be able to visit the website to purchase items that they see on ExerciseTV, including fitness apparel, equipment and extended versions of their favourite workouts on DVD.
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.
