Even as the digital MSOs’ industry organisation AIDCF released on June 9 a status report on the Indian cable TV sector that highlighted the need for urgent interventions for rejuvenating a stagnating sector, news filters in that cracks have appeared in the trade body itself.

Two major MSOs — Siti Networks and the Hinduja-group’s NXTDIGITAL have quit the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) saying the organisation strayed from its original mission and path of neutrality.

Siti Networks Limited (SITI), one of the founding members of the AIDCF confirmed it has officially withdrawn its membership from the federation.

While acknowledging the important role AIDCF has “historically played in advocating for the interests of the cable television industry”, SITI said the Federation has “increasingly strayed from its original mission of being a neutral and inclusive representative platform for all stakeholders” in the sector.

A spokesperson for Siti Networks stated: “We have observed a growing deviation from AIDCF’s founding mission and core values. This shift, in our view, represents a departure from the ideals of inclusivity and collective progress that originally inspired the formation of the Federation. As such, we have made the decision to part ways with AIDCF.”

SITI expressed gratitude for the constructive collaborations it has had with AIDCF and its members over the years and said it “remains committed” to engaging in industry efforts that promote innovation, transparency and mutual growth.

Echoing similar sentiments, NXTDIGITAL COO N.K. Rouse said, “This decision (to leave AIDCF) marks a thoughtful step forward for NXTDIGITAL, reflecting our commitment to engaging only where we can add real value. We remain deeply appreciative of the opportunities and initiatives afforded by AIDCF and move ahead with continued respect for the ecosystem and its stakeholders.”

The MSOs concerned, it is learnt, had written last week to the AIDCF president expressing their desire to quit the AIDCF, which itself emerged from MSO Alliance some time in 2014.

Last week the AIDCF had announced a new leadership team, naming GTPL Hathway Limited MD Anirudhsinh Jadeja as its new President. He succeeded S.N. Sharma, CEO of DEN Networks Limited.

In the same elections, Asianet Satellite Communications Limited Vice-Chairman Sankaranarayana was elected Vice-President, while Sanjay Goyal, Group CFO of Fastway Transmissions Private Limited, was elected Treasurer of the AIDCF.