New Delhi: The Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF) convened its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the capital yesterday, bringing together the country’s leading broadcasters and policymakers to take stock of the sector’s performance and chart its future. The meeting was chaired by IBDF President Kevin Vaz, who also serves as CEO – Entertainment at JioStar India Pvt. Ltd.
In his first address as President, Vaz stressed the enduring dominance of Linear Television despite shifting media consumption trends. “Despite geo-political and economic headwinds, Linear Television’s fundamentals remain strong. It continues to be the bedrock of content creation and brand building in India,” he said.
Citing industry data, Vaz noted that 97% of India’s original content—nearly 200,000 hours in 2024—was created for television, driving over 46 trillion minutes of annual viewership across 190 million screens, a scale unmatched by user-generated content. He emphasized that television’s family co-viewing culture cements its place at the heart of Indian homes.
Looking forward, Vaz projected an upswing in ad revenues, aided by the festive season and recent GST reforms. “Television’s next chapter is one of evolution—leveraging its enduring reach and trust, amplified by digital capabilities. Through IBDF, we will continue to advocate for a consistent, forward-looking regulatory regime that reaffirms television’s vital role in the nation’s media fabric,” he added.
Board Elections and Leadership Transition
The AGM also finalized the composition of IBDF’s Board and Office Bearers:
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President: Kevin Vaz (JioStar)
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Vice Presidents: Rajat Sharma (India TV), Gaurav Banerjee (Culver Max), R. Mahesh Kumar (Sun Network)
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Treasurer: I. Venkat (Eenadu TV)
Re-elected to the Board were Gaurav Banerjee and R. Mahesh Kumar, while Anil Kumar Singhvi (Zee Media) joined as a new member. Other members include Aroon Purie (TV Today Network), Gaurav Dwivedi (Prasar Bharati), Jayant Mathew (MMTV), and Punit Goenka (Zee Entertainment). The Board also co-opted Sumanta Bose (JioStar), John Brittas (Kairali TV), and Nachiket Pantvaidya (Culver Max).
A key highlight was the appointment of media veteran Avinash Pandey as Secretary General, effective October 1, 2025. He succeeds Siddharth Jain, whose term ends September 30. Members lauded Jain’s contributions and extended a warm welcome to Pandey.
Accepting the role, Pandey said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time. My focus will be on constructive dialogue with the government, navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, and strengthening IBDF’s role as a unified voice for growth.”
The event also featured senior government officials, including Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Prabhat, Additional Secretary, MIB, as special guests at an IBDF-hosted luncheon, providing an opportunity for candid exchange between policymakers and industry leaders.
