MAM
Frost & Sullivan’s report on the streaming media market
MUMBAI: Media streaming over the Internet faces stiff competition from traditional television. The anticipated convergence of television, cable, and the Internet and high speed Internet access are expected to lessen the impact of this restraint.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan on the world media streaming platforms, reveals that revenue in this market totaled $720.5 million in 2003. The number is projected to grow significantly by 2010.
One of the company’s analysts Mukul Krishna was quoted in a company release saying, “Online content owners are under pressure to provide a value proposition that can draw customers from televisions to their desktop screens. This is an uphill task, considering the present quality of streaming over the Internet compared to that of television and the amount of content available to television viewers.”
The report further noted that in order to compensate for the lower visual quality, Internet content providers need to focus on niche markets such as adult and sports entertainment — otherwise available by subscription or pay-per-view. Delivering a richer viewing experience through higher bandwidth coupled with better video compression is also likely to attract new users.
There is also a rising demand for high quality video streaming, sparked off by the application of digital media in the phenomenally growing mobile wireless market. With end users looking for rich multimedia experiences, streaming platform providers are striving to enable delivery to portable wireless devices states the release.
These platform providers are usually multinational giants with the financial might and resources to provide free basic media players along with their systems. With two or three branded players installed in systems, there is hardly any demand for new units offered by new entrants. This lack of demand coupled with lack of resources proves to be a barrier to the entry of new market participants, and established companies usually acquire any new entrants. In addition, the market is beset by concerns such as piracy and digital rights management, patent infringement litigation, and anti-trust issues.
However the report has noted that in spite of these challenges, the media streaming platform market holds great potential for the participants. In fact, participants from the telecom and other allied technology markets are also seeking opportunities in the streaming space which adds a new dimension to the competitive environment.
“In a nutshell, market success of participants will hinge on the level of functionality, portability, and reliability they can provide to their customers” concluded Krishna.
International growth consultancy group Frost & Sullivan has been supporting clients’ expansion for more than four decades. Its market expertise covers a broad spectrum of industries, while the portfolio of advisory competencies includes custom strategic consulting, market intelligence, and management training.
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.
