DTH
Loss signal as Dish TV Q1 net loss widens and revenue falls 27.6 percent
MUMBAI: Dish TV is still buffering and this time, the picture is far from rosy. The DTH operator reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 94.53 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2025, a sharp plunge from the mere Rs 1.56 crore loss logged in the same period last year. Revenue from operations shrank 27.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 329.36 crore, down from Rs 455.29 crore, while total income stood at Rs 334.11 crore, aided by Rs 4.75 crore in other income.
Costs, however, went in the opposite direction. Total expenses climbed to Rs 425.92 crore, led by operating costs of Rs 142.10 crore, employee benefits of Rs 42.16 crore, and finance costs of Rs 64.12 crore. Depreciation and amortisation weighed in at Rs 105.28 crore.
The company’s balance sheet remains under heavy strain, with accumulated losses now exceeding equity share capital, pushing net worth into the negative. Adding to the pressure is a long-running license fee battle with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Dish TV has set aside Rs 4,680.24 crore for the dispute, even as the MIB slapped a fresh Rs 8,735.67 crore demand (including interest) in April, which the operator is contesting in court.
For FY25, Dish TV’s annual loss narrowed to Rs 487 crore from a massive Rs 1,966 crore in FY24, but total revenue slid 15.6 per cent to Rs 1,567.6 crore, hit by falling Pay TV subscriber numbers and stagnant ARPU. EBITDA came in at Rs 529.1 crore, with margins easing to 33.75 per cent from last year’s 40.6 per cent.
While exceptional items of Rs 335.4 crore, a pre-tax loss of Rs 152.3 crore, and mounting competition from DTH rivals, cable, telecom, and OTT players dimmed the outlook, the company is leaning on its digital play. Watcho, its OTT arm, crossed the 10 million paid subscriber mark, thanks to premium content aggregation from Jiocinema, Zee5, Sonyliv and others, the launch of Watcho Fliqs for creator-led IP, and smart set-top boxes like the Dish Smrt Hub.
The strategy now is clear: retain quality subscribers, push regional content, and keep hybrid offerings in the mix because in today’s entertainment market, staying in the game might just be about playing on every screen available.
DTH
Dish TV launches ‘Kuch chhota sa’ campaign for TV flexibilit
New campaign highlights 190+ channels, Always-On service, Rs 99 Freedom Pack.
MUMBAI- Sometimes, the smallest remote click can fix the biggest daily friction and Dish TV is betting on exactly that insight. The company has rolled out a new campaign built around the thought ‘Kuch chhota sa karne par, life hogi behtar’, turning everyday viewing annoyances into a case for simpler, more reliable television access.
The campaign taps into a familiar household reality: millions of viewers continue to rely on free-to-air channels but increasingly want the flexibility of premium content, often ending up with a patchy and inconsistent viewing experience. Dish TV positions itself as the middle path—a structured yet flexible alternative that promises continuity without complexity. At its core is the pitch of an “Always-On” service, designed to keep content accessible even when recharge timelines slip, effectively reducing one of the most common friction points in DTH consumption.
To strengthen this proposition, the platform is offering access to over 190 channels, alongside a flexible pricing hook through its Freedom Pack, starting at Rs 99. The pack is positioned as a seasonal companion particularly relevant during high-engagement periods such as cricket tournaments, school holidays and festive windows, when content consumption spikes but users may not want long-term commitments.
Conceptualised by Enormous, the campaign unfolds through two master films and three short edits rooted in slice-of-life storytelling. From a husband quietly navigating around his sleeping wife to siblings striking a compromise over a coveted window seat, the narratives lean into humour and relatability rather than heavy messaging. The underlying idea remains consistent: small adjustments can meaningfully improve everyday experiences.
The rollout spans a full 360-degree media mix, including television, digital platforms, on-ground activations, point-of-sale visibility, Google Display Network placements and influencer-led content, signalling a push for both scale and contextual engagement.
As viewing habits continue to evolve in a hybrid ecosystem of free and paid content, Dish TV’s latest play reflects a broader industry shift where reliability and flexibility are increasingly positioned as differentiators, not just add-ons. In a market crowded with choice, the brand’s wager is simple: sometimes, it’s the smallest tweak that keeps audiences tuned in.
