MTNL has taken the lead in providing IPTV services in India and has an estimated 100,000 subscribers in Delhi and Mumbai. IPTV and broadband complement each other in many ways and while broadband penetration in India has fallen short of expectations, IPTV could provide the piggyback needed to increase broadband penetration as well. At the same time, MTNL has also launched a standalone IPTV service at Rs. 199 per month to compete directly with DTH. With IPTV delivery starting to take place over wireless mode as well with the impending entry of mobile operators like Airtel and Reliance, the future for IPTV as an alternative to traditional cable and DTH looks promising.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), with the aim of facilitating faster growth of IPTV services in India, has finalized with broadcasters that IPTV operators will get the same rates as DTH operators, which are 50 percent of the rates applicable for non-CAS cable TV networks. This paves the way for different distribution platforms to be treated in the same manner by broadcasters.

Ernst & Young has carried out a survey of senior executives of radio companies in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai to gain insight into the challenges and issues facing the FM radio sector. Once private radio channels are permitted to broadcast news and current affairs and players are allowed to own multiple frequencies, this sector should receive a further boost.

Most radio companies are adopting an operating model either at the national level with 30 or more stations, or a key ad sales market (6-20 stations), or regional cluster level (5 or less stations). A majority of the companies expect to cross Rs. 50 crore turnover in the next year or two. Interestingly, the share of radio in total advertising revenue is expected to increase from 3-5 percent in 2007-08 to 5-7 percent in 2009-10.

Sushma Singh has been appointed as the new Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. A 1972 batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, she has earlier held assignments as Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Secretary, Ministry of Development for North East Region.