MAM
Sony rides on 3 Idiots to regain No. 2 spot
MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (Set) has added 31 GRPs (gross rating points) in the week ended 28 April, to climb back to No. 2 position, overtaking Zee TV. The channel has achieved the feat on the back of its most prized catch – 3 Idiots.
As per TAM data (HSM, 4+, C&S), Set has recorded 240 GRPs. The channel aired 3 Idiots on 22 April that garnered 4.14 TVR. Though it is not the first time the movie is airing, it was the third most watched programme in the most watched list of the GECs. Set’s crime-based shows – C.I.D (3.62 TVR) and Crime Patrol (3.36 TVR) – continue to fetch eyeballs and are placed at No. 5 and No. 8 in the ‘Top 10 shows’ list respectively.
Meanwhile, genre leader Star Plus added 7 GRPs to end the week with 255 GRPs. Its leading fiction show, Saathiya Saath Nibhana, which dominated the Hindi GEC charts, has failed to retain its position.
Zee TV slipped to No. 3 with a marginal loss of four GRPs. The channel ended the week with 210 GRPs in its kitty.
Colors added one GRP, taking its total points to 195 GRPs. Its leading fiction show, Balika Vadhu, continued to garner an average of 3 TVR.
Meanwhile, Sab lost 5 GRPs to total 110 GRPs, while Life OK lost 3 GRPs to record 83 GRPs.
Sahara One clocked 43 GRPs, while Imagine TV ended the week with 32 GRPs.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
