ITV

Category: People

  • Cable industry veteran Lt Col VC Khare passes away

    Cable industry veteran Lt Col VC Khare passes away

    KOLKATA: Cable TV expert, retired Lt.Col VC Khare has passed away. He contributed to the cable TV industry in India at different roles for nearly three decades.

    He was a member of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) where he played a significant role in formulating 8 BIS Specification for cable TV hardware. He published over 30 papers on cable television.

    The cable industry veteran was also a part of Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd. (BECIL). During his stint at BECIL, he established the Wireline Broadcasting Division and set up training in collaboration with SCTE UK in India.

    He also worked with renowned brands like Videocon, Reliance Communications. At Videocon, he guided the setting up of d2h earth station for its DTH platform. At Reliance Communications, he set up Reliance Digital DTH platform from concept to service on screen.

    Khare was very vocal about industry issues like DAS implementation, new tariff order roll out. He spoke at different forums to share his expertise with the operators.

    At the early part of his career, he was associated with the Indian army for 24 years. He got his education on telecommunications engineering in the field of military communications from the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Secunderabad.

  • SCTE India announces its new executive board for the term 2021-2024

    SCTE India announces its new executive board for the term 2021-2024

    New Delhi: The Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers (SCTE), India has appointed NXTDIGITAL Limited MD and CEO, Vynsley Fernandes as the honorary chairman, Sandeep Bhargava as the president, and Rahul Nehra as the national secretary.

    The announcement was made at the recently held annual general meeting.

    The new executive has a very aggressive charter for the year 2021 with initiatives like SCTE Academy, SCTE Consulting, SCTE Innovation, and SCTE India Tech TV to help India get the correct technical knowledge and facilitate the impetus in the years to come.

    “I am delighted to join the SCTE family as the Chairman. SCTE India has a significant role to play in Digital India; especially on the back of the rapidly changing technology landscape,” said Fernandes.

    Sandeep Bhargava said, “With data being the new fuel, Skilling and Innovation would play a significant role, and SCTE is right in the center of both.”

    SCTE India is a part of SCTE UK which celebrates its 75th year of existence and defines standards, certification, and innovation in the digital cable and the broadband space.

  • AIDCF elects Anirudhsinh Jadeja as new president

    AIDCF elects Anirudhsinh Jadeja as new president

    KOLKATA: All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has appointed GTPL Hathway MD Anirudhsinh Jadeja as the new president of the apex body of digital cable television players. The change has been made as the tenure of DEN Networks CEO SN Sharma as AIDCF president ended on 31 March 2021.

    Jadeja is a veteran in the cable industry and founded GTPL Hathway in 2006. His strategic vision and hands-on leadership shaped the cable business over decades.

    While giving his farewell address, Sharma welcomed Jadeja as the next AIDCF president and said, “Cable industry has witnessed many challenges in the last two years, including huge operational challenges from Covid2019 pandemic, however, due to its strong roots with the public at large, it managed to sail through. We hope the coming time will be interesting and conducive for the growth of the industry.”

    In his first statement as AIDCF president, Jadeja said the apex body will continue to focus on the inclusiveness of all industry players, growth of the cable industry and its stakeholders, and representing the relevant issues and requirements of the industry in different forums. “The broadcasting and cable industry is witnessing the transformation in technology and delivery and we, at AIDCF, will continue to work towards benefitting the end consumers through technological advancements,” he added.

    Noting that the next two years will be a period of technological upheaval in the cable industry, AIDCF secretary general Manoj P Chhangani said the federation and its members under Jadeja’s leadership will chalk out a robust path in providing advanced services to the end consumers.

    All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) is India’s apex body for digital Multi System Operators (MSOs). The federation works towards the overall growth of the sector and creates an environment for not only complete digitisation of cable TV under regulatory guidelines but also delivers the benefits of digital services including broadband and other value added services to the people of India thus fulfilling the dream of ‘True Digital India.’

  • Arnab Goswami on counteroffensive after Sena ban threat; implores viewers

    Arnab Goswami on counteroffensive after Sena ban threat; implores viewers

    Mumbai: Arnab Goswami is fighting back. Like he probably has never done before. Yesterday, he reached out Republic TV and Republic Bharat viewers imploring them to not allow the Shv Cable Sena’s order to cable TV operators to stop  carrying both the channels on their networks.  Said Arnab Goswami: “Our journalism is for the people, our reporting is for your right to know and our channel reports for the nation. They are trying to block us from reaching you. They can't block us, you the people of India won't let them. Join us in this fight, support us in this fight, we need your support."

     

    He has asked viewers to sign a “Can’t block Republic” online.

     

    Arnab Goswami further highlighted: “We have refused to cow down when they try to gag us. We have refused to reveal our sources even when they have put our reporter Anuj and  our crew in jail for three days. And today we refuse to bow down just because they are issuing threats to cable operators in Maharashtra to block our channel Republic Bharat, and our network. This is an attack and an attempt to plunder the fourth pillar of democracy. the Shiv Sena wants us to squirm before them, they want to snatch our fundamental right to report. Under Article 19(1)A of the Constitution of India, Uddhav Thackeray, you have no right to do this. Our coverage speaks truth to power. The people of India did not stand for Emergency in 1975, and they will not stand for what the Sonia Sena is doing right now.”

     

    Earlier, in the day, the channel won a part reprieve from the Mumbai high court when it held that “the (…) Shiv Cable Sena is not a statutory authority to either supersede the license granted to the petitioners or to interfere in the contractual/statutory relationship between the petitioners and the cable network operators. The communication issued by it has, therefore, no effect in law.”

     

    But the court did not heed ARG Outliers’ appeal for the court to intervene and direct cable TV operators not to take the two channels off the air. While the government’s counsel said that the Shiv Cable Sena was an independent private entity from the Shiv Sena, ARG’s counsel said that how much ever it would have liked to place its appeal before the Telecom Disputes Appellate Tribunal, it could not do so as it was in recess and would restart only after 18 September.

     

    The Mumbai high court further added that the there was no evidence that cable TV operators had taken down the channels, and even if they do, it need not be solely  because the of Shiv Cable Sena’s threatening messaging.

  • Ambani’s Reliance merges media & distribution biz under Network18

    Ambani’s Reliance merges media & distribution biz under Network18

    MUMBAI: When you are Mukesh Ambani, you think size,  you think scale. Even as speculation is running rife whether a deal with Sony Pictures is on, the chairman & managing director of Reliance Industries yesterday announced that the megacorp is consolidating its media and distribution entities under one company Network18 Media & Investments. Under the scheme of arrangement, TV18 Broadcast , Hathway Cable and  Datacom and Den Networks  will merge into Network18 Media.

     

     The appointed date for the merger shall be 1 February, the company said in a statement. It also added that the broadcasting business will be housed in Network18 and the cable and ISP businesses in two separate wholly owned subsidiaries of Network18.

     

    In one of the the biggest takeovers of the Indian media industry, Ambani had announced in 2014 that it would spend big to take complete control of Network18. The acquisition kickstarted the billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s investment in the media and entertainment industry which ballooned over the years .

     

    After the consolidation, Network18 will be an integrated media and distribution company with a revenue of Rs 8,000 crore and net-debt free at a consolidated level. The company also said that the scheme shall also simplify the corporate structure of the group by reducing the number of listed entities.

     

    According to the share exchange ratio approved by the board, shareholders will get 92 shares of Network18 for every 100 shares of TV18; 78 shares of Network18 for every 100 shares of Hathway and 191 shares of Network18 for every 100 shares of Den. Reliance Industries’ holding in Network18 will reduce from 75 per cent to 64 per cent upon the scheme’s implementation.

     

    “The aggregation of a content powerhouse across news and entertainment (both linear and digital) and the country’s largest cable distribution network under the same umbrella shall boost efficiency and exploit synergies, creating value for all stakeholders,” the company stated.

     

    “The media industry is accelerating towards being a B2C play, led both by market factors and through regulation. An integrated media play shall further increase the breadth as well as depth of the group’s consumer touchpoints, and allow for retaining a larger share of the consumer’s spend on content,” it added.

     

    Back in 2018, Reliance Industries through its network of subsidiaries acquired major stakes in Den Networks and  Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited after few days of announcement of its fiber-to-the-home service.

    The company added that the consolidation of the cable businesses of Den and Hathway in one entity will leverage the combined strength of the 27,000 LCO partners who act as the touchpoints to 15 million households in India; delivering localised, people-friendly and ultra-fast customer services. The combined broadband entity will serve 1 million wired line broadband subscribers across the country.

     

  • SITI Networks elevates Anil Kumar Malhotra to CEO

    SITI Networks elevates Anil Kumar Malhotra to CEO

    MUMBAI: SITI Networks has elevated Anil Kumar Malhotra as the new CEO of the company. Malhotra’s appointment will be effective from 1 September. He joined SITI Networks as chief operating officer in 2011.

    Malhotra holds over 34 years of rich experience across the cable television industry with deep expertise across various facets of media distribution like technology, content, regulatory compliances and sales operations.

    He also played a critical role in the successful implementation of new tariff order framework at SITI Networks and was instrumental in the transformation of SITI Networks from an analog player to a digital multiple system operator.

    Malhotra had various successful entrepreneurial stints, including serving as president (North India) for In-Cable. He realised the potential of cable TV & distribution, long before the emergence of MSOs, and ventured into hardware manufacturing for the industry and later setup his multiple Master Control Rooms & Head-ends.

    He has  been an  active member of  various  government & industry bodies including MIB task forces  for implementation of DAS regulations, new tariff order, etc. 

  • Den Networks CEO SN Sharma takes over from Hathway’s Rajan Gupta as AIDCF president

    Den Networks CEO SN Sharma takes over from Hathway’s Rajan Gupta as AIDCF president

    New Delhi: All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of digital cable television players, announces the appointment of Mr. S N Sharma (CEO – Den Networks Limited) as the new President of the Federation with effect from 1st  April 2019 post expiration of term of Mr. Rajan Gupta – current President.

    Mr. Gupta commented that, “I am delighted to handover the presidency to Mr. Sharma.  It had been an event filled last couple of years at AIDCF, where we successfully migrated into the digital regime and ensured that New Tariff Regime becomes a reality, thereby empowering the consumers. I would like to thank all the members of AIDCF, without whose support this journey would not have been possible” Commenting on his appointment as the new AIDCF President, Mr. S.N. SHARMA said, “It is an honour for me to take the baton of leading AIDCF from Mr. Gupta and carrying it forward in the direction of realizing ‘The dream of Digital India’. All the esteemed members and I will continue to work as a team to resolve the issues and enhance the overall growth of Cable Television. Our priority will be making the new Tariff Regime hassle free so that that there is no inconvenience to the consumers. We will encourage and value the constructive suggestions and feedbacks.

  • Rajan Raheja resigns as non-exec director of Hathway Cable and Datacom

    Rajan Raheja resigns as non-exec director of Hathway Cable and Datacom

    MUMBAI: Billionaire industrialist Rajan Raheja has resigned as non-executive director of Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd on 30 January. A pioneer in the Indian cable TV industry, he has been widely credited for Hathway’s expansion.

    The resignation came in accordance with the agreement between Hathway and Jio Content Distribution Holdings Private Ltd, Jio Internet Distribution Holdings Private Ltd, Jio Cable and Broadband Holdings Private Ltd and the existing promoters of the company.

    Last October, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) acquired majority stake in two leading cable TV broadband companies – Hathway Cable and Datacom and Den Networks. “We are glad to join hands with Rajan Raheja (Hathway promoter) and Sameer Manchanda (DEN), two of the pioneers in MSO industry,” Ambani said in a statement after the acquisition.

    After Jio launched its flagship fibre-to-home service Jio GigaFiber, the company asserted that it is open to work with local cable operators. Many experts looked at it optimistically terming the deal “win-win” situation for all the parties.

  • GTPL Hathway appoints Viren Thakkar as new chief financial officer

    GTPL Hathway appoints Viren Thakkar as new chief financial officer

    MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway , one of the major players in the Indian cable TV and broadband industry, has appointed Viren Thakkar as chief financial officer of the company. The appointment ,which will come into effect from 2nd July, was posted on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) website.

    Earlier this month, the former CFO of the company Jayanta Pani resigned from his post after spending around one and half year in the company. Pani’s last working day at GTPL, where he joined in November 2008, will be 30th June.

    Viren Thakkar , a chartered accountant and a cost accountant, started his career in 1991 with Anil Starch Products Limited, an Ahmedabad-based Lalbhai Group company.

    The newly appointed CFO has over 27 years of experience in corporate finance, cost control, budgeting, internal control and audit and corporate planning. Earlier, he has worked as CFO in Roquette Riddhi Siddhi Private Limited. He had the responsibility of India, Middle East and Africa Region.

    Between 2007 and 2012, Viren Thakkar was general manager – finance at Torrent Power Limited, a part of Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group. He used to manage the finance, accounts, treasury operations, costing and taxation direct and indirect) at corporate level for Torrent Power and group companies. Along with that He was also involved in business development activities and handled insurance portfolio at the group level.

    Other than that, the experienced professional was also associated with Doshion Limited (Ahmedabad), Southern Range Nyanza Limited (Uganda), and Gujarat Telephone Cables Limited (Ahmedabad).

    Also Read:

    Jayanta Pani Resigns as CFO of GTPL Hathway

    GTPL Hathway board okays additional stake buy in subsidiaries

  • Jayanta Pani Resigns as CFO of GTPL Hathway

    Jayanta Pani Resigns as CFO of GTPL Hathway

    MUMBAI: Jayanta Pani chief financial officer (CFO) of GTPL Hathway has decided to part ways with the company. Pani’s last working day at GTPL, where he joined in November 2008, will be 30th June.

    “Jayanta Kumar Haribandhu Pani, Chief Financial Officer (Key Managerial Personnel) of GTPL Hathway Ltd, has tendered his resignation and his resignation will be effective from June 30, 2018 i.e. closing working hours on June 30, 2018 will be his last working day in the Company,” read GTPL Hathway’s filling with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

    Pani was appointed as CFO on 28th September 2016. He was earlier associated with GTPL Hathway Limited as Vice President of Finance.

    At GTPL, his responsibilities included dealing with overall finance and accounts department as well as the subsidiary companies

    Pani has 15 years experience in the field of account and finance.