Cable TV
Cable ops stage demonstration against Rs 72 FTA price
NEW DELHI: Stepping up pressure on the government to review the free-to-air package rates fixed at Rs. 72, over 100 cable operators belonging to the Cable Operators United Front (COUF) on Wednesday staged a demonstration demanding that the maximum rate for the basic tier after conditional access system (CAS) is introduced be raised to at least Rs 180.
Accusing the government of trying to “mislead” people, COUF president Virendra Gaur said, “Under the existing package prescribed by the Government the last mile cable operators will not be able to operate and the industry would be finished.”
“We have been providing services for Rs 100-150 for the last 13 years and the government is suddenly asking us to provide services for Rs 72. This package is not financially viable”, he said in a statement.
Exhorting the government to take the cable operators into confidence, he alleged the package had been fixed without the opinion of all sections of the cable fraternity or taking others’ viewpoints into consideration.
“The package was fixed to save the interests of multiple system operators (MSOs) and broadcasters,” he said.
COUF, which claimed to have the support of 25,000 operators, said it had suspended cable services from 11.30 to 14.30 hrs in 99 per cent of the 40 lakh cable homes it reached in the four metros.
However, this claim is disputed by many, including those in Delhi who said the blackout was partial.
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.
