GOA: The second day of the Video and Broadband Summit started with a keynote speech from Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand where the media veteran shared his insights on how to keep playing when the game itself changes.

“Media Business is primarily about distribution of content to serve consumers needs profitability. If that remains the core purpose, the why to keep playing becomes clear,” Anand said in the beginning. While everyone is talking about disruptive forces, he said coping in the media business is highly dependent on keeping up with changes in distribution technology. He also spoke about how Times Network dealt with such issues.

Anand’s visionary speech was followed by a fireside chat between Indiantelevision.com founder and CEO Anil Wanvari and Sony Pictures Networks monetization strategy and consumer insights head Saurabh Yagnik. Analytics, big data and content were the focus of the session.

Doordarshan additional director general Mr.Sunil talked about DD Free Dish, the major force in distribution of satellite television in a presentation. While a huge number of consumers across India use Free Dish, he said its user base is expected to grow by 40 million by 2020. He was also part of a fruitful discussion on the future of pay-TV with Travelxp CEO Prashant Chothani in a session moderated by Anil Wanvari.

Following that engaging session, Doordarshan director general Supriya Sahu highlighted the evolving role of the public service broadcaster in a fireside chat with Anil Wanvari. She said there should not be comparison between a private broadcaster and pubcaster as the latter’s mandate is totally different.

While the first evening witnessed a lively discussion on monetization of TV, the second day dealt with the ‘big advertising hangover’. Viacom18 Hindi mass Entertainment Ad Sales head Simran Hoon, TAM India CEO LV Krishnan, Prashant Chothani were part in the panel.

The second half of the day focused on the new tariff order, the next biggest disruptor in the complex industry, and evolving models in the cable industry. Talking about the disruptors in the distribution industry, KCCL CEO Shaji Mathews said technology has been the enabler, not the driver. In another session, IMCL CEO Vynsley Fernandes said on a positive note that if LCOs, MSOs come together magic can be made.

More interestingly, TRAI secretary Sunil K Gupta interacted with audience via Skype. Gupta answered questions of local cable operators who seemed to be really concerned about the new regime. He informed the audience of how TRAI is taking initiatives to make consumers aware of the upcoming change.

BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta, another media veteran who has witnessed the ups and downs of the industry spoke about the digital matrix measurement in India. “Data protection is of utmost importance in the age of GDPR policy compliance and Srikrishna (SPDI) committee regulations. BARC is keen to ensure the consumer data is protected in our suite of products,” said Dasgupta.

The last session of the day focused on the e-gaming scene in the country as Nodwin Gaming content head Gautam Virk explored the possibilities about how e-gaming could usher in the next wave of content consumption. Talking about possible potential partners he said, “It is easier to work with OTT platforms because they are more updated with the technology.” He also reaffirmed e-gaming is to stay here and is not a short term trend.