MUMBAI: News Delhi Television (NDTV)'s revenue rose 54 per cent to Rs 640 million for the first quarter ended 30 June 2006, up from Rs 415 million a year ago.

The company's net profit (PAT) and before employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) has increased to Rs 27 million as against Rs 2.3 million in the same quarter of the previous year. The operating profit for the quarter stood at Rs 81.7 million, up 92 per cent from Rs 42.6 million.

"The network’s market leadership is well reflected in the first quarter’s robust topline growth. The company has added 75 first time advertisers and 175 new brands this quarter, taking the total brand and advertising universe to 2261," the company said in a release.

During this quarter, the company has launched Astro Awani, a 24 hour news channel in Indonesia, in partnership with Astro, a leading South East Asia media group. It is the first channel launched by NDTV generating news that is not India-related and is specifically for viewers of that country. NDTV plans to launch a similar channel with Astro in Malaysia by this year end.

“Our news network’s leadership in an environment of increasing competition reflects the strength and credibility of the NDTV brand and the trust our viewers place in us. Going forward, we remain focused on becoming a composite media house and will continue to pioneer new areas of media work,” NDTV Ltd chairman Dr Prannoy Roy said.