Cable TV
BBC Worldwide to co-produce a show in China for the first time
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm has announced its first ever co-production in China. The natural history series Wild China will see a partnership between the BBC’s Natural History Unit and China Television Media (CTV), the production arm of Chinese state broadcaster, CCTV.
Delivering in March 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics, Wild China explores the natural history of one of the world’s most mysterious and diverse countries. The six-part series will mark the culmination of the BBC Natural History Unit’s Continents Series.
CTV’s partnership with the BBC Worldwide gives the joint production team access to some of the China’s remotest reaches and most visually stunning scenery. Shot entirely in High Definition, Wild China will take viewers on a journey through the diverse landscapes of China, including the ancient Han kingdom, the Mongol steppes and Uygur desert, the Silk Road, and the Tibetan Plateau.
BBC Worldwide MD global television sales Mark Young said, “We are excited and honoured to be working so closely with China Television Media on this landmark partnership. The Wild China production team’s unparalleled access throughout China during this production will provide a unique window into some of the planet’s most captivating terrains.”
CTV GM Gao Xiaoping said, “The BBC is world renowned for its leadership in natural history production. We are delighted to work together and bring the world a new view of China’s beautiful landscapes and fascinating wildlife before the 2008 Olympic Games.”
The show’s executive producer Brian Leith said, “China is one of the last great frontiers for wildlife television: a more or less unknown – yet vast – country. We’re very excited to be filming in some of the most remote regions of this wonderful country – and we think Wild China will bring some fabulous and dramatic revelations. I’ve learned that China is never what you expect it to be.”
Wild China is a BBC / CTV / Travel Channel co-production in association with Canal+.
Cable TV
Den Networks Q3 profit steady despite revenue pressure
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.








