Cable TV
Q1-17: Den Networks reports higher standalone revenue, operating profits
BENGALURU: Multiple-systems operator Den Networks Limited (Den) reported 21.2 percent increase in standalone Total Income from operations (TIO) for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (Q1-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q1-16). The company also reported a standalone operating profit (EBIDTA) of Rs 4.58 crore (1.9 percent margin) in the current quarter as opposed to a standalone operating loss (negative EBIDTA) of Rs 26.44 crore. Den’s standalone TIO for the current quarter was Rs 238.67 crore as compared to Rs 196.89 crore. EBIDTA including other income was Rs 15.45 crore (6.2 percent margin) in Q1-17 as opposed to an operating loss (including other income) of Rs 6.01 crore in Q1-17.
However the company reported higher standalone losses for the current quarter as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. Net loss after tax (PAT) increased to Rs 57.40 crore in Q1-17 as compared to loss of Rs 53.49 crore in Q1-16. Standalone Total Comprehensive Income (TCI) was lower at a negative Rs 56.93 crore in Q1-17 as compared a negative Rs 51.74 crore in Q1-16.
Segment numbers
The company has two operating segments – Cable Distribution Network (Cable) and Broadband. Both segments reported improved operating numbers.
Cable segment reported 15.1 percent growth in standalone operating revenue in Q1-17 at Rs 220.88 crore as compared to Rs 191.87 crore in Q1-16. Standalone operating loss in the current quarter was lower at Rs 31.19 crore as compared to a standalone operating loss of Rs 37.29 core in Q1-16.
Broadband segment standalone revenue more than tripled (over 3.5 times) in the current quarter to Rs 17.79 crore as compared to Rs 5.02 crore in Q1-16. The segment reported lower standalone operating loss in Q1-17 of Rs 14.26 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 19.24 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by Den
Standalone Total Expenditure in the current quarter was 12.1 percent higher at Rs 284.12 crore (119 percent of TIO) as compared Rs 253.43 crore (128.7 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.
As percentage of TIO, Total expenditure in the current quarter was lower as compared to Q1-16. Most major standalone cost heads decreased in the current quarter as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter except for Content Costs, Other Expenses and Depreciation and Amortisation and hence wiped away the increase in TIO and resulted in higher loss. Other factors that contributed to higher loss were lower Other Income and higher Finance costs in Q1-17.
As mentioned above, a major cost head for Den is Content Costs which increased by a massive Rs 30.70 crore or 35 percent to Rs 107.28 crore (44.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-17 from Rs 79.47 crore (40.4 percent of TIO). Standalone
Other Expenses increased 5.4 percent in the current quarter to Rs 62 crore (26 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 58.84 crore (29.9 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.
Standalone Placement fees declined 21.8 percent in the current quarter to Rs 43.69 crore (18.3 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 55.89 crore (28.4 percent of TIO).
Standalone Employee benefits expense in Q1-17 declined 14.3 percent to Rs 19.57 crore (8.2 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 22.83 crore (11.6 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.
Standalone Finance costs in the current quarter increased 31.2 percent to Rs 22.82 crore (9.6 percent of TIO) as compared to Rs 17.39 crore (8.8 percent of TIO) in Q1-16.
Standalone Other Income in Q1-17 was almost half (declined 46.8 percent) to Rs10.87 crore as compared to Rs 20.43 crore in Q1-16.
Note: (1) All numbers mentioned in this report are standalone unless stated otherwise.
MUMBAI: When margins wobble, liquidity talks and in Q3 FY25-26, cash did most of the talking. Den Networks Limited closed the December quarter with consolidated revenue of Rs.251 crore, marginally higher than the previous quarter but down 4 per cent year-on-year, even as profitability stayed resilient on the back of strong cash reserves and disciplined cost control.
Subscription income softened to Rs.98 crore, slipping 3 per cent sequentially and 14 per cent from last year, while placement and marketing income offered some cheer, rising 15 per cent quarter-on-quarter to Rs.148 crore. Total costs climbed faster than revenue, up 7 per cent QoQ to Rs.238 crore, driven largely by higher content costs and operating expenses. As a result, EBITDA dropped sharply to Rs.13 crore from Rs.19 crore in Q2 and Rs.28 crore a year ago, pulling margins down to 5 per cent.
Yet, the bottom line refused to blink. Profit after tax stood at Rs.40 crore, up 15 per cent sequentially and only marginally lower than last year’s Rs.42 crore. A healthy Rs.57 crore in other income helped cushion operating pressure, keeping profit before tax at Rs.48 crore, broadly stable quarter-on-quarter despite the tougher cost environment.
The real headline-grabber, however, sits on the balance sheet. The company remains debt-free, with cash and cash equivalents swelling to Rs.3,279 crore as of December 31, 2025. Net worth rose to Rs.3,748 crore, while online collections accounted for 97 per cent of total receipts, underscoring strong cash discipline across operations, including subsidiaries.
In short, while Q3 showed signs of operating strain, the financial backbone remains solid. With zero gross debt, steady profits and a formidable cash war chest, the company enters the next quarter with flexibility firmly on its side proving that in uncertain markets, balance sheet strength can be the best growth strategy.
