India's Cable Television Industry Experiences Significant Job Losses of Over 5.77 Lakh Positions and a Decline in 40 Million Pay TV Homes According to AIDCF-EY Report
All India Digital Cable Federation: Addressing the Indian Cable Television Sector Crisis
By BE StaffPublished On Jun 9, 2025 at 07:23 PM IST(+) Telegram, (++) Facebook, (+++) Copy Link
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The Rough Patch
The cable television sector in India is grappling with hefty challenges, and the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) is working tirelessly to tackle them head-on. Here's a breakdown of the current state of AIDCF, the cable TV sector crisis, and the push for needed policy reforms as of 2025.
Stinging Layoffs and Closed Doors
In the last six years, the cable TV sector has seen a whopping two lakh job losses, with predictions pointing to up to 3.5 lakh actual job losses. To make matters worse, 900 Multi-System Operators (MSOs) and 72,000 cable operators have unfortunately shut down their businesses[5].
Pay TV's Downward Spiral
Statistics predict that the number of Pay TV households will continue to decline by a staggering 30 to 40 million by 2030, leaving only 71-81 million subscribers[5].
Policy Reform Push
Recognizing the urgent need for change, AIDCF is advocating for significant policy reforms to maintain the industry's survival. Their goal is to cultivate a more competitive and sustainable broadcasting ecosystem[1][3].
Call for Regulatory Parity
One of the primary objectives of AIDCF is to demand regulatory parity, particularly focusing on the discrepancy in how different distribution technologies are handled. Expressing concern, the federation argues that DTH players unfairly avoid paying for using public airwaves[5].
AIDCF's Recent Endeavors
- Report Launch: In partnership with Ernst & Young (EY), AIDCF released the "State of Cable TV Distribution in India" report. This insightful report aims to shed light on the industry's challenges and opportunities, fueling discussions around potential reforms[1][5].
- Forum Engagement: To forthrightly address the sector's challenges, AIDCF hosted a special event where influential policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders gathered to discuss possible reforms and strategies to revive the industry[1].
As AIDCF proactively advocates for policy transformations to counteract the declining Pay TV market and the distress faced by the cable TV sector, the need for a sustainable and competitive environment is undeniable. Join the conversation and stay informed as we witness the unfolding of the cable TV industry's rebirth.
[1] Link to the full report[2] Link to the event's coverage[3] Link to AIDCF's policy proposals[4] Link to AIDCF's press release regarding report release[5] Link to AIDCF's presentation during the event
- The cable television sector, grappling with job losses and business closures, is seeking policy reforms to foster a more sustainable and competitive broadcasting ecosystem, as advocated by the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF).
- AIDCF, in partnership with Ernst & Young (EY), launched the "State of Cable TV Distribution in India" report, aiming to provide insights into the industry's challenges and opportunities for potential reforms.
- Recognizing the need for regulatory parity, AIDCF is pressing for a revision in the handling of different distribution technologies, arguing that Digital Terrestrial Television (DTH) players are unfairly avoiding payment for using public airwaves.
- The financial sector, media industry, entertainment industry, advertising industry, health sector, and business community are all closely watching the unfolding events in the cable TV sector, as the AIDCF works towards policy reforms to revive the sector and address the crystalizing crisis.
