Cable TV
Prasar Bharati, RailTel, and PlayboxTV launch the affordable ‘Freedom Plan’
Mumbai: In a groundbreaking collaboration, Prasar Bharati, RailTel Corporation of India, and PlayboxTV unveiled the Freedom Plan under RailWire broadband. This OTT bundled internet service aims to deliver high-speed connectivity and premium entertainment to underserved regions across India.
At an event attended by PlayboxTV, founder & CEO, Aamir Mulani; RailTel, CMD, Sanjai Kumar; and Prasar Bharati, CEO, Gaurav Dwivedi, the Freedom Plan was announced as an affordable and accessible solution tailored for Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas.
For just Rs 299 monthly, subscribers will enjoy 30 Mbps internet speed, access to 10 premium OTT platforms, including Prasar Bharati’s Waves, over 400 live TV channels, and 200+ games. This collaboration marks RailTel as the first telecom provider to integrate Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform, developed to showcase India’s rich cultural and entertainment legacy.
The Freedom Plan underscores India’s mission to bridge the digital divide. RailWire’s extensive reach will empower rural households with a unique combination of connectivity and entertainment. The partnership also focuses on engaging millions of daily commuters, ensuring seamless on-the-go access to top-tier content.
Mulani expressed, “It is very exciting to see Prasar Bharati, India’s premier entertainment and Infotainment hub, launch its very own OTT platform Waves. I feel proud to be the first OTT aggregation platform to onboard them and offer it to our customers. The Freedom Plan being launched by RailTel under RailWire broadband is packed with rich content including Waves. Priced at Rs. 299 monthly I feel it is the perfect entertainment plan for every household in India.”
Waves, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, delivers a curated blend of nostalgic classics like Mahabharat, Ramayan, and Shaktiman, along with live TV, movies, podcasts, and games. The platform is available on Android, iOS, connected TVs, Firestick, and Chromecast.
Dwivedi remarked, “Waves OTT platform represents a transformative leap for Prasar Bharati as we embrace the digital revolution to connect with India’s vast and diverse audience like never before. RailTel through Freedom Plan under Railwire broadband with its wider reach in 2/3 tier towns including rural & remote areas along with capabilities of OTT aggregator PlayboxTV will help us reach a newer and wider audience through their vast network of ISPs and LCOs. This collaboration with RailTel Corporation of India and PlayboxTV reflects our vision of making high-quality, culturally rich, and family entertainers accessible to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to redefine digital engagement and bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and modern streaming, empowering millions across India with seamless connectivity and premium entertainment”
Kumar highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative, saying, “Our Home internet service RailWire aims to bring affordable internet to underserved parts of the country. This collaboration aligns with India’s vision of becoming a knowledge economy by promoting digital literacy and ensuring every household can participate in the country’s digital transformation. The Freedom Plan delivers content for all age groups including children, youth, adults, and senior citizens by making it a perfect fit for family consumption. The Freedom Plan is a step toward achieving a digitally empowered society by connecting even the remotest parts of India with high-quality internet and entertainment,”
RailTel, known for its pan-India optical fiber network, partners with PlayboxTV to extend the Freedom Plan to regions overlooked by mainstream providers. The initiative will connect remote areas with seamless browsing and rich digital content, driving India closer to becoming a digitally empowered society.
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.
