MAM
Spike TV teams up with Bruce Willis for fatherhood documentary
MUMBAI: Viacom’s US network for males Spike TV will team up with actor Bruce Willis for a documentary that celebrates the joys of fatherhood.
True Dads with Bruce Willis will air on 17 December on the channel.
There is a family crisis in America. One out of every four homes does not have a father. The documentary examines the lives of men who’ve discovered the immeasurable rewards of being a father.
Spike TV president Albie Hecht said, “Today’s men are looking for new role models about how to be a dad – you can’t just come home and watch TV anymore. Through research we have found that nearly half of the men surveyed said they don’t spend as much time as they would like with their kids. We hope that this documentary will help to inspire a new generation of fathers.”
The documentary paints an evolving picture of fatherhood from the perspective of six everyday dads. Through their personal stories and experiences, viewers witness the full spectrum of fatherhood and see that although it can be challenging at times, fatherhood can also be the most creative, fulfilling and enriching experience of a man’s life.
Celebrities including Matt Lauer, Cedric the Entertainer, Alec Baldwin will offer their personal insight and advice about fatherhood. Nascar driver Kerry Earnhardt talks candidly about the influence the relationship with his famous father, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. had on his own experience as a father. Kerry pushed racing aside to be present in his children’s lives, but has recently decided to pursue the sport that took his own father’s life.
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.
