Cable TV
DAS Phase II MSOs get 29 November deadline for activating SMS
MUMBAI: The noose is tightening around those operating in digital addressable system (DAS) phase II areas. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today stated that MSOs have until 29 November 2013 – less than 10 days from today to complete the process of collecting the consumer application forms (CAFs) with information which includes the name, address, choice of channels and bouquets and entering the information into their subscriber management systems (SMS). They have been directed to have the SMS operationalised by then and also submit a compliance report.
The direction states that the SMS system has to comply with the digital addressable cable TV system requirements as mentioned in regulation 20 of the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (Digital Addressable Cable Television Systems) Regulations, 2012, for ensuring efficient and error-free service to the subscribers by recording and providing individualised preferences for channels, billing cycles or refunds.
It is to be noted that the regulator had first on 26 April directed the MSOs to ensure that the SMS is operationalised and the signals of TV channels are transmitted to only those subscribers whose details such as name, address, choice of channel and bouquets etc are entered into the SMS. The MSOs were also directed to disconnect TV signals of the subscribers whose details were not entered into the SMS system and allow such subscribers to surrender their set top boxes. The MSOs had then been asked to furnish compliance report by 7 May.
Again on 19 July, the Authority convened a meeting of the MSOs operating in Mumbai, Kolkata and other 38 cities covered under DAS phase-II to review the progress of implementation of DAS, wherein the MSOs were asked to collect the CAFs, complete in all respects, including choice of channels/ services and enter the complete details of the subscribers in the SMS by 20 September. The regulator had even issued a letter on 23 July directing MSOs to ensure compliance and communicate the same to the LCOs and furnish the report in the given deadline. But with the MSOs failing to comply yet again, the regulator again held a meeting on 25 September with the MSOs to review the progress of implementation of digitization in DAS phase II cities. The MSOs in this meeting had requested for the extension of the deadline to 15 November. Once again, they slipped on that deadline.
With the new sunset date being set as 29 November, can we expect compliance or another extension?
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.
