New Delhi [India], January 30: A Landmark Moment for India’s Broadcasting Ecosystem
The 30th edition of BES Expo 2026 emerged as a defining platform for India’s media and broadcasting industry, bringing together policymakers, broadcasters, technologists, and academics to chart a digital-first, AI-powered future. Anchored in the vision of “Make in India” and “AI in Media Broadcasting,” the expo reflected India’s growing confidence in building indigenous, globally competitive media technologies
AI Is Under-Hyped, Not Over-Hyped: Government Perspective
Media & Entertainment at an Inflection Point
Delivering the key policy address, Shri Sanjay Jaju, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, highlighted the transformational role of AI in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, which supports nearly one crore livelihoods across radio, television, cinema, and digital platforms.
Thanking BES for the scale and coordination of the expo, he remarked:
“AI is often called over-hyped, but in reality, it is under-hyped in its real-world impact.”
From Studios to Button-Click Efficiency
AI as an Agent, Not Just a Tool
Drawing parallels with the arrival of the internet, Shri Jaju explained how AI is reshaping content creation, production workflows, and editorial decision-making. He noted that media operations are shifting from heavy studio-driven processes to button-click efficiency, dramatically improving productivity.
Importantly, he emphasized:
AI should not be viewed merely as a tool, but as an agent
Capable of optimisation, multilingual content creation, and assisted decision-making
While dystopian fears exist, AI’s employment impact has been far less disruptive than anticipated
Regulatory Reform and New Distribution Models
Digital Radio, DTM and Ease of Doing Business
Highlighting structural shifts in broadcasting, Shri Jaju spoke about:
Digital Radio
Direct-to-Mobile (DTM) broadcasting for terrestrial digital distribution
Expanding access for citizens without reliable internet connectivity
He also underscored the role of the Broadcast Seva Portal, describing it as a single-window system that enhances Ease of Doing Business by simplifying licensing and compliance.
“It is time to move from discussion to delivery, and from prototypes to scalable models.
WAVES: A Process, Not an Event
Building India’s Media Value Chain
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Shri Jaju described WAVES as a long-term process, not a one-time initiative.
Key platforms include:
WAVES Bazaar
WaveX (content creation and innovation chain)
“One wave should lead to another—that is the nature of a wave,” he said, stressing collaboration across the media ecosystem.
Public Broadcasting in the AI Era
Trust, Integrity and National Reach
Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharati, spoke about the evolving broadcast landscape at the intersection of policy, technology, and public trust.
He highlighted:
Cloud-based IT systems and intelligent production tools
The strategic importance of D2M
Prasar Bharati’s role during national emergencies
Its unmatched reach in rural and remote regions
Positioning AI as assistive rather than replacement, he stressed its role in:
- Linguistic diversity
- Authenticated journalism
- Citizen-centric and verified information delivery
- AI in the Newsroom: A Live Demonstration
India Today’s AI Anchor ‘Sana’
Offering an industry perspective, Ms. Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group, presented a live demonstration of the AI news anchor ‘Sana’, drawing strong audience interest.
Quoting the AI anchor:
“I won’t take over unless someone plugs me in.”
She emphasized that while AI boosts speed, efficiency, and engagement, human creativity, editorial judgment, and accountability remain central.
BES: Beyond Exhibition to Capability Building
Education, Skills and Indigenous Innovation
Concluding the leadership perspectives, Sunil Sir, President, Broadcast Engineering Society (BES), reaffirmed BES’s commitment to:
- Education and training
- Skill development
- Sustainable and responsible innovation
He noted that participation at BES Expo 2026 nearly doubled compared to last year, reflecting growing industry momentum.
“AI in media broadcasting is no longer a future concept—it is the present.”
Conclusion: India Ready to Lead the Next Media Wave
BES Expo 2026 stood out not merely as an exhibition, but as a strategic forum shaping India’s AI-enabled, inclusive, and Make-in-India broadcasting future—signalling the country’s readiness to lead the next global wave of media transformation.
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