Cable TV
MSOs prepared for new regime, AIDCF stresses on ‘a la carte’ offers from 1 Sept
MUMBAI: All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF), the apex body of Digital Multi System Operator’s (MSOs), has urged all its members to gear up for the new tariff regime.
In its meeting held on Monday, the members were advised to gear up to meet the requirement under the new regulation and prepare their backend to handle dynamic offerings including offering channels on à la carte basis. While the broadcasters and MSOs are free to form their own bouquets, the ultimate “right to choose” to end-consumers will happen by giving them the ability to choose channels on à la carte basis.
This step has been taken to stream-line MSOs services so that the end-consumer does not face any hiccup when the new regime kick-in on 1 September 2017. It should be noted that the members of the apex body are fully committed to migrate to the new tariff and interconnect regime.
AIDCF would also like to put on record that the new tariff regime will bring in more transparency and fuel growth by regulating the broadcast distribution system. It will also help in creating a more synergetic environment unlike the current unfettered one and will give the end-consumers, the freedom to choose what they want to watch and provide safeguard to ensure that the channels are being offered with fair trade margin, thus harmonising the entire eco-system.
The Federation also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment as it will be an ideal scenario if all the legal procedures are put to rest before the new regime kicks in. This way there will be no ambiguity and application of the new regime will be smooth and seamless.
AIDCF president TS Panesar said, “We are happy to note that the Supreme Court has requested the Madras High Court to hear this matter on a daily basis beginning 12 June 2017 and come out with the judgement in 30 days. This does not affect the 1 September implementation deadline and we are hopeful that it will be implemented on time.”
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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.
