Time has now come for broadcasters and DPOs to innovate together: Anurag Thakur

Speaking at an event, former I&B minister Anurag Thakur said linear TV continues to be the beating heart of entertainment for millions of households, and its foundational importance stands unshakeable

by e4m Staff
Published: Aug 7, 2025 5:05 PM | 4 min read

The time has now come for broadcasters and DPOs to innovate together and script the next successful chapter of Indian television, said former I&B minister Anurag Thakur.

“It is advisable that stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers should move towards deregulation to unlock the true potential and value of the broadcasting sector. I urge both broadcasters and DPOs to work hand-in-hand with the regulator to achieve this,” said Thakur while addressing a gathering of broadcasters and DPOs recently.

Talking about the power the liner TV still holds, Thakur opined, “The scale of television in India is simply unparalleled. We are the world's second largest TV market, reaching over approximately 210 million households and almost five times the individual viewers in these households. It is a colossal reach that spans from bustling metropolitan cities to remote villages. Despite the rise of digital media, the habit of watching television remains deeply ingrained in our culture. In 2024, an overwhelming nine out of ten people continued to embrace live television, and almost 60% of all Indians still watch linear TV every single month.

Linear TV continues to be the beating heart of entertainment for millions of households, and its foundational importance stands unshakeable. I understand that some industry estimates forecast that TV will remain the single highest contributor to domestic media and entertainment revenues all the way through 2028. But the true, magical strength of linear TV lies in the context of its consumption, that is the power of co-viewing.”

Thakur mentioned that linear TV can transform every advertisement and every show from a one-to-one message into a powerful chorus reaching multiple hearts.

“In India, 98% of TV-owning households have only a single television set, making it the natural epicenter for family viewing. This is not individual viewing; it is a shared medium by default. On average, almost four individuals watch content together in each household. This transforms every advertisement and every show from a one-to-one message into a powerful chorus reaching multiple hearts within the trusted environment of the home,” he shared.

According to him, General Entertainment Channels, which account for 52% of viewership, and Movies, at 22%, are the cornerstones of this powerful co-viewing habit, especially during primetime. The investment in such content is staggering as big players are making huge investment in this sector.

The power of live, shared events is absolutely electrifying. The IPL captivated 525 million viewers on TV in 2025, a testament to television’s magnetic pull. National events, like the general election results in 2024, drew an incredible 880 million viewers to linear TV, nearly the entire nation united in anticipation, shared the former minister.

“During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Doordarshan began the rebroadcast of the iconic Ramayana serial. This re-telecast shattered global viewership records, becoming the most-watched entertainment show in the world, with 77 million viewers tuning in on 16th April.

These figures clearly paint an unmistakable picture that broadcasters and DPOs together are doing more than just distributing channels. You are providing access to the largest shared cultural space in our country, which is a premium and irreplaceable treasure. You all are not just in the business of broadcasting; you are in the business of bringing India together, one screen at a time.

Today, broadcasters are not only bringing formidable content to viewers, but are weaving dreams into reality. At the same time, our Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) are doing so much more than simply distributing channels; you are the force driving broadband penetration across the nation, you are the digital bridge builders, you are the connectivity champions driving broadband penetration to every corner of our nation.

It is this powerful combination of premium content from our broadcasters and the last-mile connectivity provided by our DPOs that creates a thriving ecosystem where innovation meets opportunity,” he further shared.