Cable TV
Hathway Cable & Datacom reports improved numbers for Q2-18
BENGALURU: The demerged Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported standalone profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 140.1 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18,current quarter) as compared PBT of Rs 100.3 million in the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18 (q-o-q). It may be noted that Hathway’s numbers for Q2-17 include both cable television and broadband numbers and hence cannot be compared with Q2-18 revenues that include only broadband revenue. Hence, Hathways numbers for the current quarter have been compared to its numbers from the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18 (quarter ended 30 June 2017)
Hathway’s total revenue of Rs 1,370.8 million for the current quarter was 5.5 percent more q-o-q than Rs 1,299.4 million. Revenue from operations in Q2-18 was 1.7 percent higher q-o-q at Rs 1311.5 million than Rs 1290 million.
Hathway’s total comprehensible income (TCI) for the current quarter was a little more than half (lower by 49.1 percent) q-o-q at Rs 139.8 million as compared to Rs 274.6 million on account of exceptional items that had increased TCI in Q1-18 by Rs 1713 million. Simple operating EBIDTA for Q2-18 at Rs 526.6 million was 7.6 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 489.4 million.
Hathway’s total expenditure in the current quarter increased 2.6 percent q-o-q to Rs 1,230.7 million from Rs 1,199.1 million. Finance costs in the current quarter increased 17.1 percent q-o-q to Rs 201.9 million from Rs 172.4 million. Employee benefits expense in Q2-18 increased 18.3 percent q-o-q to Rs 105.3 million from Rs 89 million. Other operational expenses in the current quarter increased 6.8 percent q-o-q to Rs 328.9 million from Rs 307.9 million. Other expenses reduced 13.1 percent in Q2-18 to Rs 350.7 million from Rs 403.7 million.
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.
