Cable TV
I&B ministry urges state/UT govts to ensure uninterrupted cable services
MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has requested the state and the union territories to make necessary arrangements for uninterrupted services of cable operation. Although cable services have been included under essential services, some cable operators are facing issues to run operations due to the ongoing lockdown.
In a letter dated 1 April, the ministry mentioned that it has received complaints from some cable operators. The operators are facing issues in movement as they not being permitted by the local authorities in their operation.
“As you are aware, the government of India and the state or UT governments are taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the country-wide lockdown, in order to ensure uninterrupted operation of basic services, the government of India has issued various guidelines which include the uninterrupted flow of information networks including cable TV network operations,” MIB stated in the letter.
MIB also mentioned that cable service operators are mandated to show DD channels free of cost to all the subscribers. Since DD provides authentic government-related information, it is important that correct news should reach the public to check rumours and fake news.
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.
