Cable TV
Africa harmonizing laws to ensure smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting
NEW DELHI: African countries are harmonizing policy and regulatory frameworks for smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
The information technology sector is rapidly growing in Africa, providing a plethora of opportunities for global companies to share their technologies and do business in this continent, and as digitization spreads, internet on mobile phones will increase 20-fold in the next five years. This is double the rate of growth in the rest of the world. These were some of the points made during the Convergence Africa World 2015.
The three-day exposition from 17 to 19 June in Nairobi, Kenya, was organized by Exhibitions India Group (EIG), which organizes the annual Convergence India in Delhi. The event was jointly developed by Exhibitions India Group and AfriEXPOS, a Nairobi based expo organizer.
Over 120 participants and top executives from over 300 companies took part in the expo.
The exhibition was being organized at Oshwal Centre in Nairobi. The exhibition and conference was inaugurated by Ambassador D. N. O Awori, chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The expo also hosted a two day conference consisting of knowledgeable sessions with senior dignitaries from government and corporate sectors. Connecting Africa, Internet for All, Future of Africa’s Telecom, Digital Media and ICT Markets, Kenya Vision 2030, Pay TV, The Evolution of Television in Africa and Cloud & Big Data were among some of the key conferences held at Convergence Africa World 2015 expo.
A first of its kind in Africa, the exhibition and conference showcased the convergence of telecoms, digital media, broadcast and IT industries. The inaugural expo was intended to facilitate B2B contacts, joint ventures, technology transfers, and financial investments, thereby presenting the most comprehensive one-stop shop in Africa.
Some of the companies that exhibited at Convergence Africa World 2015 included brands like Airtel, MediaGuru, RiverSilica Technologies, Matrix Comsec, Conax AS, Horizon Broadcast Electronics, ABOX42 GmbH, and Birla Ericsson Optical Limited.
On the successful completion of the expo, Exhibitions India chairman Prem Behl said, “With Convergence Africa World 2015 expo, our objective was to provide a platform to deliberate on convergence of services, focusing on new-age technologies and merging business solutions that harness the young population to create a wave of technological transformation in the continent.”
Exhibitions India President S.J. Singh added, “Overall the expo rendered a prolific experience for all participating delegates, exhibitors and visitors. Convergence Africa World will return with a succeeding chapter in June 2016.
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.
