The highly anticipated SATCAB Symposium 2025, organized by Aavishkar Media Group, brought together policymakers, industry veterans, and media stalwarts to dissect the evolving landscape of India’s media and entertainment (M&E) sector. Held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the event revolved around the theme ‘Challenges & Opportunities in Evolving Distribution Landscape’, offering deep insights into television distribution, the rise of Connected TV (CTV), and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employment and innovation.

The symposium featured a power-packed lineup of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, with participation from government officials such as Sanjiv Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Lt. Col. Abhishek Singh, Joint Advisor, TRAI. Industry pioneers from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), GTPL Hathway, Bharat Express, PTC Network, ONEOTT iNTERTAINMENT, and more contributed to crucial conversations on the future of India’s broadcasting industry.

The event commenced with a compelling welcome address by Dr. A.K. Rastogi, Founder, Aavishkar Media Group, who highlighted the ongoing shifts in India’s television distribution sector. He emphasized that while millions of Indian households remain untapped by cable TV, the industry must innovate to reach these audiences amid rising competition from OTT platforms and digital media.

 

Delivering the keynote address, Sanjiv Shankar, Joint Secretary, MIB, provided valuable insights into the government’s vision for the sector, underlining the importance of policy evolution, fair regulations, and consumer-centric reforms. Lt. Col. Abhishek Singh, Joint Advisor, TRAI, stressed that transparency and collaboration between stakeholders are key to tackling the challenges posed by emerging technologies.

A thought-provoking session on “Challenges of Modern Distribution”, moderated by Pankaj Krishna, Founder & CEO, Chrome DM, brought together leading executives, including Anil Malhotra (ZEEL), Yatin Gupta (GTPL), Akshat Singhal (Dangal Play), Padmakumar (KCCL), Ajay Khamankar (UCN Cable), and Satyaprakash Singh (ONEOTT iNTERTAINMENT).

The panelists explored the tug-of-war between traditional distribution models and digital disruption, discussing how MSOs (Multiple System Operators) and LCOs (Local Cable Operators) can leverage innovation to expand their reach. They acknowledged that rising internet penetration and changing consumer preferences are pushing the industry towards hybrid models that blend linear TV, streaming, and CTV solutions.

 

One of the most impactful sessions of the day came from Upendrra Rai, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Express, who tackled the hotly debated impact of AI on jobs and technological evolution. Speaking at the session titled “What’s Making News & Connecting the CTV Dots”, Rai painted a bold picture of AI’s role in reshaping employment landscapes, arguing against fears of widespread job losses.

“If 80% of traditional jobs vanish, 95 percent new ones will emerge,” he asserted, countering concerns about AI-driven unemployment. He emphasized that AI is not a threat but an enabler, facilitating efficiency while creating new opportunities across industries.

Rai also spoke about the rapid rise of Connected TV (CTV), which is changing how Indians consume content. He explained that CTV merges the mass reach of traditional television with the precision of digital advertising, offering a highly lucrative model for news networks and broadcasters.

In an inspiring segment, Rai took the audience on a journey through technological evolution, discussing how smartphones will soon eliminate the need for SIM cards and chargers, and how flying cars powered by hydro-technology could be a reality by 2050. He also drew parallels between AI and historic technological revolutions, arguing that those who embrace change will thrive.

Quoting the example of Elon Musk, Rai pointed out how the billionaire entrepreneur failed three times in launching a satellite but eventually secured a $3 billion NASA contract. “Musk didn’t even know the ‘S’ of space engineering, but his persistence turned him into a trillionaire,” Rai remarked, driving home the message that bold innovation and resilience will define the future.

Adding to the discourse, Rabindra Narayan, MD & President, PTC Network, and Hemlata Sharma provided key insights into the future of news broadcasting in the era of CTV and AI. Narayan discussed the role of BARC and how Content Rating Points (CRP) could potentially replace TRPs as the future of content ratings, ensuring a more accurate and transparent assessment of audience engagement.

“How will traditional Linear TV channels compete with phone-wielding millions of news channel owners?” Narayan questioned, highlighting the growing influence of user-generated content in the digital age.

Meanwhile, Hemlata Sharma, Research & distribution Head of ZMCL also shed light on India’s CTV revolution, emphasizing how Connected TV will redefine content consumption, advertising, and audience targeting in the years to come.

As India stands at the cusp of a massive digital transformation, SATCAB Symposium 2025 reinforced the idea that adaptability and strategic foresight will be the ultimate game changers.

The SATCAB Symposium 2025 wasn’t just a conference—it was a blueprint for the future of India’s M&E industry. With thought-provoking discussions on distribution challenges, AI’s impact, and the monetization of news and CTV platforms, the event successfully brought together government leaders, corporate visionaries, and media pioneers to shape the next chapter of India’s broadcasting ecosystem.

As India stands at the cusp of a massive digital transformation, SATCAB Symposium 2025 reinforced the idea that adaptability and strategic foresight will be the ultimate game changers.