TV and digital are thriving simultaneously: Kevin Vaz

At the silver jubilee edition of FICCI FRAMES, Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar and Chairman, Media & Entertainment Committee, FICCI, highlighted the evolution of India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry and called for renewed collaboration, light-touch regulation and continued innovation.

Vaz began his address by highlighting how India’s television sector continues to thrive alongside digital media, unlike many western markets where digital has eroded traditional viewership.

Firstly, the co-existence of TV and digital media. Unlike many western markets, where digital has eroded traditional viewership, India continues to be a strong and vibrant market. So, television and digital are thriving simultaneously, each adding unique value to consumers and advertisers.”

He pointed out that the “TV ecosystem, spanning pay TV, free TV and connected TV, is steadily expanding, complementing the rapid growth of digital to collectively grow the overall M&E pie.”

Sports and Live Broadcasting: A Growing Powerhouse

Vaz then turned to the sports broadcasting landscape, calling it one of the most dynamic segments in India’s media ecosystem.

“Sports consumption is at an all-time high. While cricket dominates, football, kabaddi and e-sports are rapidly growing. With digital platforms offering multi-lingual feeds, interactive stats and immersive fan experiences, to unlock the next step, ease of doing business, reforms must enable more live broadcasting from India.”

Indian Cinema and Global Recognition

The FICCI Chairman celebrated the role of Indian films and OTT platforms in amplifying India’s cultural footprint globally.

 “Recent cinema and OTT have become ambassadors of India’s cultural strength. South Indian films dominate the box office shares, while Indian films win Oscars like Ararat and Delphi Whisper. And globally playing at Cannes, Berlin and beyond. Co-production treaties and a revitalized NFDC are powering cross-border storytelling.”

AVGC-XR and Tech-led Storytelling

Vaz underscored the rise of animation, gaming, and VFX as major pillars of the industry’s future.

 “The AVGC-XR sector has moved from outsourcing to original IPs. Now supported by the National Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, gaming too has become mainstream. With 500 million plus users, e-sports gaining government recognition and start-ups scaling globally with mighty support.”

He noted that India has become “a crucial hub of cost-effective production, dubbing and VFX services,” with exports, co-productions, and international showcases steadily increasing. “Our stories are not just travelling, they are leading,” he said.

A Call for Light-Touch Regulation

 Reflecting on the pace of change, Vaz emphasized the need for regulatory reform to keep up with the industry’s growth and innovation.

 “The regulatory burden on media advertising, on media broadcasting for instance, has created an artificial price barrier from increased regulatory costs and prevented TV broadcasting from being innovative and competitive. Forbearance is something that we always advocated for. And if we are to realize the ambitious growth we envisage for the M&E sector, a light-touch regulatory regime is optimal approach, building on industrial best practices and self-regulation.”

He reaffirmed that “broadcasting, which alone contributes to nearly 40% of India’s M&E industry, is central to realizing this ambition.”

A Vision Aligned with National Goals

“As we chart a road ahead, it is important to align with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of making India the content hub for the world,” Vaz said, underlining how broadcasting and creative industries will play a key role in this mission.

He acknowledged both “pride and urgency” at this milestone moment: pride in India’s creative economy and its global achievements, and urgency to strengthen policy frameworks that can sustain its growth.

 The Golden Era of Indian Media

I believe we are in the golden era of Indian media and entertainment,” Vaz declared, expressing optimism about the opportunities ahead. “The tools are more powerful, the reach broader, audiences are more diverse and creativity more impressive.”

He concluded with a rallying message: “The challenge is to ensure that quality matches their mission, that creators are empowered and that innovation is inclusive. And that India just doesn’t follow global trends, it sets them. Together we will rise.