MAM
Prasar Bharati to be flexible on commercial policy
NEW DELHI: Former Zee Telefilms chief executive and marketing whiz Vijay Jindal, who had been appointed as the chairman of the advisory marketing committee of Prasar Bharati, has got into action.
The advisory committee has suggested that keeping in mind the fast changing scenario in the business of TV, there should be flexibility in Prasar Bharati while taking commercial decisions. The committee has further said the policy should come up for review every month.
Prasar Bharati oversees the functioning of Doordarshan and All India Radio, two of the biggest public service broadcasters in the world. In the past, it has been seen that inflexibility on the part of DD, mainly, where rate cards for advertisements are concerned, has led to loss in revenue which has gone the way of private satellite channels where such commercial decision makings are flexible keeping in mind the client and the situation.
As per the present arrangement, the Prasar Bharati board approves the rate card and commercial policy of Doordarshan which can lead to delays, it has been pointed out.
At a board meeting of the Prasar Bharati on Friday, flexibility relating to commercial decisions was one of the talking points, amongst other issues.
Prasar Bharati sources pointed out that the board considered the marketing advisory committee’s suggestions and the rationale for monthly review as the present practice does not allow flexibility in commercial operations. As a result, Doordarshan is slow to react to market changes, while other private operators are swift in their reaction, the sources said.
From now onwards, an empowered committee shall review the rate card and guidelines regarding commercial policy of Doordarshan as also the AIR. The empowered committee shall comprise Prasar Bharati chief executive KS Sarma, member (finance) S Sundresan and director-general of Doordarshan SY Quraishi.
The committee shall make necessary changes in the commercial policy so as to keep it in tune with the market realities. If need be, the committee can make changes without waiting for the monthly meeting too.
The decisions of the committee, of course, shall be put up for ratification by the Prasar Bharati board in the board meeting following such decision(s).
With this change, it is expected that Doordarshan will be in a position to react to market conditions more quickly than before.
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.
