Cable TV
Q2-2016: Hathway Bhawani YoY sales up 10.4%, loss down
BENGALURU: Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacom Limited (HBCDL) reported a 10.4 per cent YoY growth in net sales or Income from Operations (TIO) for the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q2-2016, current quarter) at Rs 419.74 lakh as compared to Rs 380.14 lakh. Current quarter’s TIO was almost flat (increased 0.6 per cent) QoQ as compared to Rs 416.32 lakh.
Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh =10 million = 1 crore
The numbers in this report are mentioned in Rs lakh in general.
The company reported a lower loss in the current quarter at Rs 12.50 lakh as compared to the loss of Rs 50.14 lakh in the corresponding year ago quarter and a loss of Rs 18.52 lakh in the immediate trailing quarter.
HBCDL’s EBIDTA including ‘Other Income’ (Operating profit) was Rs 10.11 lakh 2.4 per cent margin) as compared to an operating loss of Rs 23.82 lakh in Q2-2015 and was over six times (6.6 times) the EBIDTA of Rs 1.53 lakh reported for Q1-2016.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by HBSDL
HBDCL’s Total Expenditure in the current quarter increased 1.3 per cent YoY to Rs 435.62 lakh (103.8 per cent of TIO) from Rs 429.90 lakh (113.1 per cent of TIO) and was almost flat (declined 0.5 per cent) QoQ from Rs 437.96 lakh (105.2 per cent of TIO).
A major expense head for the company is Pay Channel & Feed Charges (Pay channel). The company’s Pay channel costs in Q2-2016 declined 5.9 per cent YoY to Rs 200.29 lakh (47.7 per cent of TIO) from Rs 212.88 crore (56 per cent of TIO), but increased 1.9 per cent QoQ from Rs 196.49 lakh (47.2 per cent of TIO).
Employee Costs in the current quarter reduced by 12.1 per cent YoY to Rs 36.70 lakh (8.7 per cent of TIO) from Rs 41.75 lakh (11 per cent of TIO), but increased 3.5 per cent QoQ from Rs 35.45 lakh (8.5 per cent of TIO).
The company’s Provision for doubtful receivables in Q2-2016 increased 38.1 per cent YoY to Rs 43.50 lakh (10.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 31.50 lakh (8.3 per cent of TIO), but declined 18.7 per cent QoQ from Rs 53.50 lakh (12.9 per cent of TIO).
Interest costs in the current quarter reduced 3.9 per cent YoY to Rs 5.15 lakh (1.2 per cent of TIO) from 5.36 lakh (1.4 per cent of TIO) but increased 2.8 per cent QoQ from Rs 5.01 lakh (1.2 per cent of TIO).
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.
