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Tata Communications trials video distribution with Formula one using global fibre network
MUMBAI: Tata Communications successfully showcased its next generation capability for video distribution by relaying content from the 2013 Formula one Singtel Singapore Grand Prix directly to Formula One management’s Biggin Hill headquarters in the UK.
The live video feed was sent using Tata Communications’ video connect service on its wholly-owned fibre network in what was Tata Communications’ first live video contribution demonstration for Formula One management and a group of leading broadcasters.
The capability demonstration included the supply of JPEG 2000 quality video live from the race circuit as well as multiple programme feeds – all made possible due to the use of its fibre network and media management services.
Tata Communications F1 business managing director Mehul Kapadia said, “When Tata Communications signed the deal to become the official connectivity provider of Formula one last year we knew we were starting an exciting journey with the sport. This video capability demonstration was an important milestone as it allowed us to showcase our capabilities in the delivery of content of the highest quality video feeds over fibre, and give a glimpse into the potential future of sports broadcasting.”
Using fibre, broadcasters have the opportunity to manage content in ways not possible via satellite – giving them options on what video feeds they share with the viewer for consumption.
When the partnership with Tata Communications was announced, a Formula one management spokesperson stated that the deal was “the most significant moment for F1 since the advent of satellites.”
After Friday’s capability demonstration, Formula one management chief technical officer John Morrison said: “We are constantly looking at how we improve the delivery and number of options for our media partners, and ultimately the end consumer. This game changing trial from Tata Communications around the capability of its world-class connectivity infrastructure allows us to evaluate new means of delivering the immersive live race experience around the world. FOM is already using connectivity provided by Tata Communications to facilitate a radical rethink of our live event coverage by remoting an increasing number of associated activities to our remote operations centre at Biggin Hill.”
Consumer demand for quality, live content across different platforms is now the norm and with the emergence of bandwidth-hungry production workflows such as Ultra HD, quick turnarounds and availability of content across multiple platforms is becoming a hygiene factor for content owners. Tata Communications’ portfolio of media services and its leading fibre network helps media companies streamline its workflows to enable better collaboration, without large investments in hardware.
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
