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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
AIDCF Releases Landmark Report Highlighting Job Loss Crisis and Urges for Urgent Reforms in India's Cable TV Sector
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 10: All India Digital Cable Federation today launched a landmark study titled 'State of Cable TV Distribution in India'. Developed in collaboration with EY India, the report offers critical insights into the challenges, evolution, and future of India's cable television ecosystem. It brings together extensive field data and sectoral analysis to present a comprehensive view of the Cable TV distribution landscape. Based on inputs from over 28,000 Local Cable Operators (LCOs) across India, the report highlights a sharp decline in cable TV subscriptions--driven by rising channel costs and competition from unregulated platforms--which, in turn, has led to a significant employment crisis. Key findings of the report include: * The workforce of surveyed LCOs declined by 31% since 2018, with a reported loss of 37,835 jobs. When extrapolated nationally, the estimated job loss ranges between 1.14 lakh and 1.95 lakh. * Pay TV households declined by 40 million, from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024. * 93% LCOs reported a decline in their subscriber base since 2018; * 49% of LCOs reported a drop in theirmonthly income. * 35% reported subscriber loss of over 40%. Key reforms suggested by the report include: * Enabling of level-playing field across all content distribution mediums * Permitting differential pay TV pricing for different territories based on ability to pay * Activating over 20 million inactive STBs in India * Restrict or limit the provision of live or slightly delayed transmission of pay TV content for free on other platforms * Take a unified stand against piracy Mr. Sanjiv Shankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs; Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, shared his remarks: "This report is truly one of its kind--comprehensive, data-driven, and grounded in the realities of the ground-level cable ecosystem. It brings into focus the structural shifts and challenges within the sector, and provides a valuable evidence base for future policy-making." Mr. S.N. Sharma, CEO of DEN Networks Limited and President of AIDCF, expressed his enthusiasm about the report: "This report is perhaps the most comprehensive bottom-up view of the Pay TV distribution sector in recent times." "The report presents not just statistics but stories of lost livelihood impacting families and entrepreneurship, and they need be heard across the broadcasting ecosystem." "While the report presents conservative estimates, the situation is even more grave. When factoring in the closure of approximately 900 MSOs and 72,000 LCOs over the past six years, the total cumulative job loss is estimated to exceed 5.77 lakh." "We urge all stakeholders -- including broadcasters, regulators, and our parent ministry -- to use the report as a base to bring practical reforms and support the cable TV industry to thrive once again." Mr. Ashish Pherwani, Partner, Media & Entertainment Sector, EY India, remarked that: "This is a first-of-its-kind report that captures the true pulse of the cable TV distribution network in India. Its scale, depth of field data, and insight into last-mile realities make it a valuable resource for both industry and policymakers alike." The report was released during a special event held at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, where senior policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from across the broadcasting and media landscape came together to deliberate on the findings and implications of this industry-first report. The report can be accessed from AIDCF's official website or by clicking on this link. About All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) All India Digital Cable Federation is the apex body for Digital Multi-System Operators (MSOs) in India. AIDCF is the official voice for the Indian digital cable TV industry and works towards the overall growth of the sector. AIDCF has consistently championed the interests of the cable TV distribution industry and remains committed to promoting a fair, competitive, and sustainable broadcasting ecosystem. The members of the federation have a combined market share of > 65%. Members of AIDCF includes Asianet Satellite Communications Limited, DEN Networks Limited, Fastway Transmission Private Limited, GTPL Hathway Private Limited, Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited, Kerala Communicators Cable Limited, NXT Digital, SITI Cable Network Limited and UCN Cable Network Private Limited. Photo:
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
AIDCF Releases Landmark Report Highlighting Job Loss Crisis and Urges for Urgent Reforms in India's Cable TV Sector
NEW DELHI , June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — All India Digital Cable Federation today launched a landmark study titled ' State of Cable TV Distribution in India ' . Developed in collaboration with EY India, the report offers critical insights into the challenges, evolution, and future of India's cable television ecosystem. It brings together extensive field data and sectoral analysis to present a comprehensive view of the Cable TV distribution landscape. Based on inputs from over 28,000 Local Cable Operators (LCOs) across India , the report highlights a sharp decline in cable TV subscriptions—driven by rising channel costs and competition from unregulated platforms—which, in turn, has led to a significant employment crisis. Key findings of the report include: The workforce of surveyed LCOs declined by 31% since 2018 , with a reported loss of 37,835 jobs . When extrapolated nationally, the estimated job loss ranges between 1.14 lakh and 1.95 lakh . , with a reported loss of . When extrapolated nationally, the estimated job loss ranges between . Pay TV households declined by 40 million , from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024. , from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024. 93% LCOs reported a decline in their subscriber base since 2018; LCOs reported a since 2018; 49% of LCOs reported a drop in their monthly income . of LCOs reported a . 35% reported subscriber loss of over 40%. Key reforms suggested by the report include: Enabling of level-playing field across all content distribution mediums across all content distribution mediums Permitting differential pay TV pricing for different territories based on ability to pay for different territories based on ability to pay Activating over 20 million inactive STBs in India Restrict or limit the provision of live or slightly delayed transmission of pay TV content for free on other platforms Take a unified stand against piracy Mr. Sanjiv Shankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs; Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, shared his remarks: 'This report is truly one of its kind—comprehensive, data-driven, and grounded in the realities of the ground-level cable ecosystem. It brings into focus the structural shifts and challenges within the sector, and provides a valuable evidence base for future policy-making.' Mr. S.N. Sharma, CEO of DEN Networks Limited and President of AIDCF, expressed his enthusiasm about the report: 'This report is perhaps the most comprehensive bottom-up view of the Pay TV distribution sector in recent times.' 'The report presents not just statistics but stories of lost livelihood impacting families and entrepreneurship, and they need be heard across the broadcasting ecosystem.' 'While the report presents conservative estimates, the situation is even more grave. When factoring in the closure of approximately 900 MSOs and 72,000 LCOs over the past six years, the total cumulative job loss is estimated to exceed 5.77 lakh.' 'We urge all stakeholders — including broadcasters, regulators, and our parent ministry — to use the report as a base to bring practical reforms and support the cable TV industry to thrive once again.' Mr. Ashish Pherwani, Partner, Media & Entertainment Sector, EY India, remarked that: 'This is a first-of-its-kind report that captures the true pulse of the cable TV distribution network in India . Its scale, depth of field data, and insight into last-mile realities make it a valuable resource for both industry and policymakers alike.' The report was released during a special event held at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi , where senior policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from across the broadcasting and media landscape came together to deliberate on the findings and implications of this industry-first report. The report can be accessed from AIDCF's official website or by clicking on this link. About All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) All India Digital Cable Federation is the apex body for Digital Multi-System Operators (MSOs) in India . AIDCF is the official voice for the Indian digital cable TV industry and works towards the overall growth of the sector. AIDCF has consistently championed the interests of the cable TV distribution industry and remains committed to promoting a fair, competitive, and sustainable broadcasting ecosystem. The members of the federation have a combined market share of > 65%. Members of AIDCF includes Asianet Satellite Communications Limited, DEN Networks Limited, Fastway Transmission Private Limited, GTPL Hathway Private Limited, Hathway Cable & Datacom Limited, Kerala Communicators Cable Limited, NXT Digital, SITI Cable Network Limited and UCN Cable Network Private Limited. Photo: View original content to download multimedia: Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AIDCF-EY report: India's Cable TV sector loses over 5.77 lakh jobs, 40mn Pay TV homes
India's cable television sector is grappling with a severe job loss crisis and a sharp decline in subscriptions, according to a study released today by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) in collaboration with EY India. The report, titled—State of Cable TV Distribution in India, highlights an estimated cumulative job loss exceeding 5.77 lakh and a significant drop in Pay TV households, urging immediate policy reforms to stabilise the industry. The comprehensive study, based on extensive field data from over 28,000 Local Cable Operators (LCOs) across the country, paints a grim picture of the industry's health since 2018. The workforce of surveyed LCOs has plummeted by 31 percent since 2018, resulting in a reported loss of 37,835 jobs. When extrapolated nationally, the estimated job loss ranges between 1.14 lakh and 1.95 lakh. Factoring in the closure of approximately 900 Multi-System Operators (MSOs) and 72,000 LCOs over the past six years, the total cumulative job loss is estimated to exceed a staggering 5.77 lakh. Beyond job losses, the sector has seen a dramatic decline in subscriber numbers. Pay TV households have fallen by 40 million, from 151 million in 2018 to 111 million in 2024. 93 percent of LCOs reported a decline in their subscriber base since 2018, with 49 percent experiencing a drop in their monthly income. Alarmingly, 35% of LCOs reported a subscriber loss of over 40 percent. The report attributes these challenges to a combination of rising channel costs and intense competition from unregulated digital platforms, which often offer content for free or at significantly lower prices. To mitigate the crisis and ensure the sustainability of the cable TV industry, the report proposes several key reforms. These include enabling a level-playing field across all content distribution mediums to ensure fair competition and permitting differential Pay TV pricing for different territories based on consumers' ability to pay. The report also calls for measures to activate over 20 million inactive Set-Top Boxes (STBs) in India, restricting or limiting the provision of live or slightly delayed transmission of Pay TV content for free on other platforms, and fostering a unified stand against piracy across the broadcasting ecosystem. Sanjiv Shankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs; Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shared his remarks, "This report is truly one of its kind—comprehensive, data-driven, and grounded in the realities of the ground-level cable ecosystem. It brings into focus the structural shifts and challenges within the sector, and provides a valuable evidence base for future policymaking.' S.N. Sharma, CEO of DEN Networks and President of AIDCF, emphasised the human impact of the crisis. He stated, 'This report is perhaps the most comprehensive bottom-up view of the Pay TV distribution sector in recent times. The report presents not just statistics but stories of lost livelihood impacting families and entrepreneurship, and they need to be heard across the broadcasting ecosystem. We urge all stakeholders — including broadcasters, regulators, and our parent ministry — to use the report as a base to bring practical reforms and support the cable TV industry to thrive once again.' Ashish Pherwani, Partner, Media & Entertainment Sector, EY India, highlighted the report's unique contribution, remarking, 'This is a first-of-its-kind report that captures the true pulse of the cable TV distribution network in India. Its scale, depth of field data, and insight into last-mile realities make it a valuable resource for both industry and policymakers alike.'
