MUMBAI: After being host to film festival, Goa will play host for the first ever Indian Television Fest on 2nd and 3rd November this year. The Indian Broadcasting Foundation has announced a two-day fest seeing the growth and success of the television industry in the country. Uday Shankar President IBF and chief executive of Star India said “We plan to make this an annual affair with an objective to take the business and service of television industry to the next level. It’s an opportunity for Indian and global broadcasters to grow in a market that is considered to be the fastest growing.”

It will serve as a platform for the Indian and global broadcasting industry to network, exchange ideas, review the progress and problems facing the industry through panel discussions and master classes. There will be interactive seminars, keynote sessions, events, content, business services technology and service pavilions, lounges for private meetings, performances and lots of sporting activities.

Speakers will include Chairman, Walt Disney International – Mr. Andy Bird; Deputy COO, Chairman and CEO International News Corporation – Mr. James Murdoch, ; and Chairman, Zee and Essel Group – Mr. Subhash Chandra.

Uday also said that “with a current reach of over 140 million homes, the market with a population of 1.2 billion holds a great opportunity and the event is an ideal platform to look at opportunities that lie ahead for augmenting this dynamic industry.” With more than 600 channels, Indian television has been growing at the rate of 12% per annum for the last five years. In fact, the total revenue generated in 2011 was Rs 33,850 crore. By 2017, it is expected to touch the Rs 1,00,000 crore mark .

The festival will be held at the Baga Grounds, Goa. Anyone with a keen interest in understanding the Indian television industry from Indian and international luminaries is encouraged to attend the fest. To motivate aspirant youth participation, the ITF has waived off registration fees for participants under-25 years.