Category: Broadcast

Ormax Media, India’s premier insights and consulting firm for the media and entertainment industry, has announced the launch of the 2025 edition of ‘Certificate Program in Indian Media Business’ (CPIIMB). Scheduled from February 22 to March 15, 2025, this pioneering initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap and inspire career aspirations in India’s dynamic media and entertainment (M&E) sector.

As one of the fastest-growing industries in India, the M&E sector offers diverse opportunities across streaming, cinema, television, sports, news, and media research. However, a lack of structured awareness about career paths in this field often holds back aspiring professionals. Through CPIIMB, Ormax Media seeks to address this gap by equipping participants with practical insights, industry-specific knowledge, and career guidance.

Shailesh Kapoor, Founder & CEO of Ormax Media, highlighted the program’s mission: “The Indian media and entertainment industry is a vibrant space brimming with opportunities. Based on our research, an estimated 2 million Indians are considering a media & entertainment career at any given time, across creative and business roles. However, many talented prospects remain unaware of the career paths available in this sector. With this program, we aim to create awareness, provide practical knowledge, and inspire a new generation of professionals to build successful careers in this exciting industry. Equally, the course is invaluable for those already in this industry, to upscale themselves by getting exposed to cross-domain knowledge and practical industry insights.”

The program features eight hours of live online sessions, delivered by the senior leadership team at Ormax Media, including Shailesh Kapoor himself, Keerat Grewal – Head: Business Development (Streaming, TV & Brands), Sanket Kulkarni – Head: Business Development (Theatrical), Amit Bhatia – Head: Audience Tracking & Knowledge Center, Mitesh Thakkar – Head: Content & Campaign Testing, and Shreya Ramakrishnan – Group Head (Bespoke Research).

The curriculum covers topics ranging from streaming platforms and theatrical releases to media analytics and industry trends, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem. Interactive case studies, Q&A sessions, and career guidance are key elements of the curriculum.

Upon completion, participants receive a prestigious digital certificate from Ormax Media, providing a valuable credential recognized by leading media organizations. Kapoor added: “The certification not only validates participants’ expertise but also positions them strongly for internships and job interviews with top media companies across India.”

Ormax Media has been at the forefront of the industry for over 16 years, working with 95+ leading brands and publishing 85+ research reports. The firm’s deep expertise is reflected in the program, designed to blend theory with real-world insights and applications.

The program fee is ₹29,900, with special discounts available for students. The course brochure, which can be accessed here, has the details. IndiaEducationDiary

Prasar Bharati has extended an invitation to all agencies empanelled with the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Policy (DAVP) to advertise on its OTT platform, WAVES. Agencies will receive a 20% discount on total business brought to the platform.

The OTT service, launched at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in November, is now available on Android, iOS, and the web. With a growing user base, the platform has already crossed over a million downloads in December.

This move provides agencies with the opportunity to engage a large and diverse audience while enjoying incentives such as the discount. However, agencies will bear the cost of technical integration, including ad servers and other related expenses. The feasibility of integrating new ad servers will be evaluated to ensure compatibility with the platform’s existing infrastructure. Social Samosa

The upcoming Union Budget 2025 is poised to play a pivotal role in expanding rural internet penetration in India, a critical step towards bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. As the government prepares to present the Union Budget 2025 on February 1, stakeholders in the telecommunications sector express optimism regarding potential policy measures aimed at enhancing infrastructure and reducing operational costs in rural India.

Current landscape of internet usage in rural India
As of early 2025, India is projected to have over 900 million internet users, with rural areas accounting for a significant portion of this growth. In 2024, rural users comprised 55 per cent of the total 886 million internet users in India, reflecting a steady increase in connectivity and digital engagement in these regions. The average Indian spends about 91 minutes online daily, with rural users averaging slightly less at 89 minutes. This trend indicates a growing reliance on digital platforms for various activities, including over-the-top (OTT) content consumption, social media interaction, and online communication.

Swati Bhargava, co-founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, said, “As we anticipate Budget 2025, expanding rural internet penetration emerges as a critical lever for India’s burgeoning digital economy. With one of the fastest-growing 5G networks globally, India possesses a unique opportunity to leverage its telecom revolution for widespread economic and social progress. According to the Trai’s latest report, rural internet penetration in India currently stands at approximately 35 per cent, significantly lagging behind urban areas with penetration rates exceeding 70 per cent. This disparity hinders inclusive growth and limits the potential of millions of citizens.”

Factors driving internet adoption in rural India
Several factors contribute to the increasing internet adoption in rural areas:

Affordability of mobile data: The cost of mobile data has decreased dramatically, making it one of the most affordable markets globally. Prices have dropped by over 90 per cent since 2016.

Smartphone accessibility: With approximately 1.2 billion smartphone users in India, the availability of low-cost devices has facilitated greater access to the internet.

Regional language content: There is a rising demand for content in local languages, with 57 per cent of urban users preferring regional language content. This trend is crucial for engaging rural populations who may not be comfortable with English.

Government initiatives: Programmes like BharatNet aim to provide broadband access to all Gram Panchayats, significantly enhancing connectivity in rural areas.

“Enhanced rural internet connectivity will not only empower millions by providing access to education, healthcare, and financial inclusion but also unlock substantial economic potential. Studies by Cite research institutions like NITI Aayog, have shown that a 10 per cent increase in rural internet penetration can lead to a 1-2 per cent increase in GDP growth. This focused approach will serve as a cornerstone for realising the vision of a truly Digital India, where connectivity becomes a catalyst for equitable and sustainable economic development,” Swati Bhargava said.

Govt initiatives and previous Budget allocations
In the 2024 Union Budget, the Ministry of Communications received an allocation of Rs 1.28 trillion, which included provisions for enhancing telecommunications infrastructure and supporting initiatives like BharatNet. The focus on improving digital infrastructure has already yielded positive outcomes, with reduced internet costs leading to increased smartphone adoption.

Tarun Pathak, research director, Counterpoint Research, said, “The initial phase of the National Broadband Mission (NBM) did not fully achieve its intended objectives. Budget 2025 needs to consider allocating resources for the newly proposed NBM 2.0. The recent release of the vision document for NBM 2.0, which currently lacks specific budgetary allocations, indicates that the government is establishing a foundation for future investments.”

“Furthermore, the government is emphasising the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative to enhance the Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) facility, which is critical for improving connectivity in rural and remote regions,” Pathak said.

Expectations from Budget 2025
The telecom industry anticipate several key measures from the upcoming Budget, including:

Tax rationalisation: Stakeholders are calling for reductions in import duties and other taxes that burden telecom service providers. This could free up capital for infrastructure investments and ultimately lower service charges for consumers.

Investment in digital infrastructure: Significant funds are expected to be allocated towards enhancing digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where connectivity remains a challenge.

Support for local manufacturing: Continued support for local manufacturing through tax incentives could lead to more competitively priced smartphones, making them accessible to a broader consumer base.

Steps to expand internet reach
To further enhance internet penetration in rural India, the government could consider the following steps:

Increase budget allocations for digital infrastructure: A substantial increase in funding for projects like BharatNet can ensure that all villages have reliable internet access.

Promote public-private partnerships: Encouraging collaborations between government and private telecom companies can lead to innovative solutions for expanding connectivity.

Enhance financial support for local manufacturers: Providing incentives for local smartphone manufacturers can help reduce device costs, making technology more accessible.

Focus on digital literacy programmes: Implementing educational initiatives aimed at improving digital literacy will empower rural populations to utilise internet services effectively.

Encourage content creation in regional languages: Supporting local content creators can drive engagement and ensure that more users find value in online resources.

In conclusion, the Union Budget 2025 holds significant promise for transforming India’s digital landscape, particularly in rural areas. By addressing key challenges such as affordability and accessibility through strategic investments and policy reforms, the government can empower millions of Indians and facilitate their integration into the digital economy. Business Standard

ISRO on Sunday (January 26, 2025) said integration of its rocket GSLV-F15 with satellite NVS-02 is complete.

The GSLV-F15 rocket with Indigenous cryogenic stage is ready to be launched on January 29, with the satellite NVS-02 on board, the space agency said. This will be the 100th mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. “GSLV-F15 integration complete! Take a sneak peek at the incredible teamwork behind this mission: Countdown: Less than 3 days to launch! Join us as we unlock new frontiers,” the agency said in a post on social media ‘X’.

“GSLV-F15 will place the NVS-02 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and the launch will take place from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre,” said ISRO.

NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellites, was launched on board GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023.

NVS-02, the second satellite in the NVS series, is configured with navigation payload in L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor-NVS-01, ISRO said.

According to ISRO, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity and Timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as the region extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, which is its primary service area.

NVS-01/02/03/04/05 are envisaged to augment the NavIC base layer constellation with enhanced features for ensuring continuity of services, added ISRO.

The space agency said NVS-02 uses a combination of indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation.

NVS-02 satellite was designed, developed and integrated at the U R Satellite Centre (URSC) with the support of other satellite-based work centres, it added.

GSLV-F15 is the 17th flight of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the 11th flight with the Indigenous Cryo stage, said ISRO . It is also the eighth operational flight of GSLV with an indigenous Cryogenic stage, it added. The Hindu

Spanish oil company Repsol plans to invest 4 billion euros ($4.2 billion) in data centres, Expansion newspaper reported on Monday, citing unidentified sources close to the process.

The planned data centres would be located near the northern Spanish city of Zaragoza, the newspaper said.

A Repsol spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Zaragoza area is set to become a major cloud computing hub, with technology giants such as Amazon and Microsoft having already announced massive investments in the area. Reuters

Comcast today announced a $15 million investment to build and expand its high-speed, reliable network across Charlotte County, Florida. Thousands of homes and businesses in the areas of Rotunda West, Gulf Cove, South Gulf Cove, Port Charlotte and other neighborhoods will have access to Xfinity and Comcast Business services. Construction is ongoing and services will become available as projects are completed. Some areas, like Port Charlotte and Rotunda West, are serviceable now.

“Comcast’s expansion in Charlotte County with a brand-new Internet network is a wonderful benefit for the area. With this investment, they are not only bringing high-speed, reliable Internet to our residents, but also showing a commitment to our community,” said District 3 Commissioner Bill Truex. “We are proud to have Comcast in Charlotte County and excited for the opportunities this will bring to residents and businesses.”

The next-generation network gives Charlotte County access to reliable and fast Internet speeds that outperform competitors — up to 1.2 gigabits per second (Gbps) for residential customers and up to 100 Gbps for businesses.

“Southwest Florida has always been a priority for us, and we couldn’t wait to bring our services to the growing Charlotte County. This is a fantastic day for residents as they now have a great option for reliable, high-speed Internet as well as access to Xfinity and Comcast Business Mobile,” said Jeff Buzzelli, Regional Senior Vice President of Comcast Florida. “Charlotte County, we are ready to serve you! We look forward being a part of this community and earning your business.”

Introducing Xfinity for Consumers
Comcast’s residential services are marketed under the Xfinity and NOW brands, and consumers in Charlotte County will be able to take advantage of Xfinity’s full suite of products, including Internet, video, mobile, voice and home security. With fast Internet speeds, powerful WiFi that reaches every corner of the home, and super-responsive connections with low lag available with its plan, customers have a great experience using their connected devices to stream their favorite sports and entertainment content, video chat with coworkers and friends, learn from home or simply surf the web.

Comcast Business to Power Charlotte County’s Workforce
For local businesses, Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of all sizes achieve their business goals. Industry analysts and associations have consistently recognized Comcast Business as a leader and innovator in flexible, scalable options as well as one of the fastest-growing providers of Ethernet services.

Accessing Affordable Internet
Comcast is committed to making Internet accessible and affordable across communities in Florida. Since 2011, the technology leader has offered Internet Essentials. The program provides low-cost Internet service, digital skills training and subsidized computers to eligible income-constrained households. Internet Essentials has helped hundreds of thousands of Floridians since its launch in 2011, including students, senior citizens, veterans and people with disabilities enrolled in public assistance programs and more.

While Comcast’s commitment to Southwest Florida can be traced back for decades, the technology leader’s presence and support is now on full display in Charlotte County. Recently, Comcast provided the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County with a $30,000 grant that will be used to build a new computer lab. Since its inception in 1997, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County has been committed to helping youth reach their full potential as responsible, compassionate, and productive citizens through development, growth, and skill acquisition. With this new computer lab, children will learn important digital skills that are crucial to success in today’s world.

“We are so thankful to have Comcast as part of our community and incredibly grateful for their contribution that will fund a brand-new computer lab for our 350 Charlotte County youth participants,” said Lynn Dorler, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County. “Comcast’s commitment to connecting and empowering communities aligns with our mission and we look forward to working together to make an impact and benefit local youth and families.”

Residents can visit Xfinity.com/mytown and enter their addresses for additional details on construction timing and upcoming service availability. Comcast’s most recent expansion in Charlotte County is part of the company’s latest investment in Florida, which also includes expansions in Broward County, Citrus County, DeSoto County, and Miami-Dade County. PR Newswire

The rise in cord-cutting and an increasing shift towards streaming platforms have given the Pay TV market a considerable push. Emerging technologies have embellished this sector with unparalleled quality and a flurry of content.

What Is The Projected Market Size Of The Global Pay TV Market And Its Growth Rate?
The Pay TV market has seen subtle yet significant growth over recent years.

• Market size in 2024: $206.02 billion
• Market size in 2025: $207.42 billion (0.7% CAGR)
  Drivers including the models for cable TV market, increasing DTH services and regulatory support are facilitating the growth.
• Projected Market size in 2029: $247.16 billion (4.5% CAGR)
  The forecasted growth attributes to rise in OTT streaming services, HD/Ultra HD content, and shift to internet protocol television among other factors.

What Is Driving The Growth In The Pay TV Market?
The surge in the Pay TV market is significantly fuelled by the escalating demand for Ultra High Definition (UHD) and 4K services. The advent of digital cinema projectors like 4K offers a resolution with almost four times the pixels of Full HD. UHD TV, on the other hand, delivers an impressive 3840 x 2160 resolution. Pay TV caters to this growing demand by providing high value premium content directly. For example, the Luxembourg-based telecommunications company, SES S.A. has offered approximately 8400 TV channels worldwide, including 3,130 in HD or UHD, a noticeable increase from the previous year. The continuing demand for UHD and 4K services is expected to push the Pay TV market growth.

Who Are the Key Players Driving Pay TV Market Growth?
Significant contributors towards the Pay TV Market include:

• Bharti Airtel Limited
• DirecTV LLC
• Foxtel
• Dish TV
• Comcast Corporation
• Rostelecom PJSC
• Fetch TV Pty Limited
• Tata Play Limited
• Tricolor TV
• Videocon d2h Limited
• Charter Communications Inc.
• Alliance Telecom Group

openPR

Leading media network NDTV on Saturday reported an impressive 34 per cent increase in revenue for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024-2025, compared to the same quarter last year, and a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous quarter.

The strong revenue performance was driven by increased advertising revenue, and the success of high-profile events and digital initiatives, according to the company. During the quarter, NDTV made significant strides in expanding its content offerings and global reach with the launch of NDTV World, a global news platform designed to serve the diverse diaspora around the globe.

“Q3 was a pivotal quarter for NDTV as we continued to build our global presence with initiatives like the NDTV World Summit and the launch of NDTV World,” said Sanjay Pugalia, Executive Director and Editor in Chief, NDTV.

“While short-term profit was impacted by strategic investments, we are confident these efforts will drive substantial growth in the future,” Pugalia added. With the continued investments in creating new IPs, expanding its global distribution footprint, and scaling its digital and television operations, the Company witnessed an impact on the profit.

However, these investments are expected to generate significant returns in future as NDTV continues to build its global presence and diversify its revenue streams, said the company. The platform offers high-quality news, in-depth analysis, and programming tailored to global audiences, while bringing an Asian and Indian perspective to international markets. Sarkaritel

As Disney punts its succession decision to 2026, CEO Bob Iger continues to be a financial beneficiary.

According to the company’s annual proxy filing, Iger received a pay package valued at $41.1 million in 2024, mostly in the form of stock and option awards. His salary was $1 million.

In 2023 Iger took home a pay package valued at $31.6 million, with most of that in the form of stock and option awards.

Iger, of course, is under contract with Disney through 2026, though board chairman James Gorman has indicated that he hopes to find a successor to the executive in “early 2026.”

Gorman reiterated that promise in his first annual shareholder letter as chairman of the company: “As Chair of the Succession Planning Committee, I am focused on managing our succession process, and we have continued to make strong progress over the last year,” Gorman wrote. “In response to shareholder feedback, I was pleased to share an update on our expected timing to announce a CEO successor in early 2026. The full Board is engaged in and committed to finding the right leader for the Company and we are planning for a smooth leadership transition that will enable Disney’s continued success.”

Disney also disclosed pay packages for other top executives, including CFO Hugh Johnston, whose pay package totaled $24.5 million, and chief legal and compliance officer Horacio Guttierez, who took home a package valued at $15.8 million.

With most of the executive compensation in the form of stock and options, the actual take-home pay can vary, depending largely on the company’s share price. The Hollywood Reporter

Whenever Netflix raises its prices — which seems to happen roughly as often as Ben Affleck falls in love with an A-list celebrity — the company always gives the same reason. It needs the extra money, you see, in order to keep investing in the kind of programming and product its 302 million subscribers demand. That’s how the standard monthly price of ad-free Netflix jumped from $7.99 to $17.99 over the course of the last 13 years, including a $2.50 jump just announced during the company’s recent earnings report. There’s still a $7.99 monthly plan, of course, but that one includes ads — and it’s a dollar more expensive than it was a week ago.

But let’s be real with each other. You want to know why Netflix keeps raising its prices? Because it can. Because Netflix won. The rest of the streaming industry is competing ferociously over a finite pool of money, dealing with carriage disputes because of dwindling subscriber numbers, and panicking over the future of TV. Netflix is the future of TV.

Over the last couple of years in particular, Netflix has gone from a solid streaming service to a practically unavoidable, virtually uncancellable part of mainstream culture. It has developed a slate of hit originals — Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, The Night Agent if we’re being really generous — that give it at least something approximating HBO-style appointment TV. It has proven, through things like the Paul / Tyson fight and the Tom Brady roast, that it can manufacture cultural events more or less out of nothing. It pulled off a day of NFL games without a hitch and spent billions of dollars to get WWE’s Monday Night Raw, one of cable’s biggest ongoing hits, onto the platform. And underneath it all, it has built a massive library of reality shows, cooking competitions, and the other filler TV that makes up most of our TV viewership.

Now, for the price of your Netflix subscription, you get a bunch of expensive movies, high-end TV shows, sports, and low-budget reality programs all in one place. You don’t want it all, but you pay for it anyway. That, my friends, is called a cable bundle. And it’s still the best business the entertainment industry has ever devised.

The average price of a basic cable subscription in 2006, the year before Netflix started streaming content over the internet, was between $40 and $50. People watched something like four hours of TV a day, which meant they probably watched about an hour of ads every single day. Today, services like YouTube TV and Comcast’s new sports and news bundle are $70 or more and only provide live programming. Meanwhile, Netflix subscribers watch two hours of the service every day, across all those categories, and are paying as little as a tenth of the price. Many of them see no ads at all. Think of the savings!

Netflix sure sees it that way. Greg Peters, the company’s co-CEO, said on this week’s earnings call that he’s optimistic about Netflix’s “long-term monetization opportunity.” “We earn, right now, only 6 percent of the revenue opportunity in the countries and segments that we currently serve,” he said. “And as long as we continue to deliver on improving the variety, the quality of our TV and film slate, we gradually expand the offering with newer content types, we believe we’ll be able to increase that share progressively every year.”

Translation: Netflix is coming for your entire entertainment diet. And your entire entertainment budget.

As it looks at price increases, Peters also said, Netflix considers signals like engagement, retention, and acquisition. All that amounts to one simple question: do you keep using Netflix when the price goes up? The answer, so far, has almost always been yes. And so the prices keep going up. It’s really just that simple. It’s clear to Netflix that it could charge more — maybe a lot more — and hardly anybody would leave. So of course it’s going to push the limits.

The other way to understand the specifics of the pricing strategy is that Netflix would very much like you to have that ad-supported plan. The company has said repeatedly that it makes more money on the combination of a smaller monthly fee and advertising than it does from the larger subscription price alone. A large percentage of new subscribers are choosing ads — about 55 percent in the latest quarter — and Netflix is beginning to test exactly how much its existing subscribers will pay to keep their Netflix ad-free. It’s no accident that the ad-free price just jumped two and a half times as much as the base price did. And remember: even if we all switch to the ads plans, the prices might still go up. Cable TV is expensive and filled with ads, after all, and Netflix sure likes that business model.

Netflix continues to signal that its ambitions are only growing, too. Ted Sarandos, the company’s other co-CEO, indicated on this week’s earnings call that the company is more open to live sports than ever, after the success of the Christmas NFL games and the Paul / Tyson fight. The company is increasingly getting into video games, too, which accounts for another huge chunk of many people’s entertainment budget. Netflix is even starting to borrow tactics from YouTube and TikTok, bringing creators like Ms. Rachel onto the platform.

Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder and former CEO, famously said that Netflix’s main competitor is sleep. Sleep’s still a pretty powerful market force, to be fair. And YouTube continues to be an even more dominant force in people’s video-viewing experience. But Netflix has ascended above practically everybody else — even its ostensible competitors are now licensing their shows to Netflix because that’s where the viewers are, and where the culture is.

The streaming wars have been messy, and they’re certainly not over, but Netflix already won. The only question left is exactly how rich the spoils of victory will be. And you better believe Netflix is going to find out. The Verge