Brands
FY-2015: HT Media radio segment reports 37% operating profit growth
BENGALURU: HT Media’s radio segment reported 37.1 per cent growth in operating profit at Rs 29.21 crore in FY-2015 as compared to the Rs 21.31 crore in FY-2014.The segment reported 78.8 per cent growth in operating result in Q4-2015 (quarter ended 31 March, 2015, current quarter) at Rs 8.56 crore as compared to the Rs 4.81 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q4-2014) but was 9.3 per cent lower than the Rs 9.44 crore in the immediate trailing quarter Q3-2015.
Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore
(2) The figures mentioned in this report are consolidated figures unless stated otherwise.
HT Media has four FM radio stations – Fever 104 in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. HT Media’s radio segment’s revenue in FY-2015 at Rs 99.38 crore was 6.8 per cent more than the Rs 93.12 crore in FY-2014. The company says that growth was driven by advertising revenues growth of approximately 12 per cent being partially off-set by reduced focus on events and activations.
In Q4-2014, the segment reported 12.8 per cent growth in operating revenue to Rs 25.82 crore as compared to the Rs 22.88 crore in Q4-2014 and was almost flat (up 0.04 per cent) as compared to the Rs 25.81 crore in Q3-2015.
The company reported four per cent growth in Total Income from Operations (TIO) FY-2014 at Rs 2289.71 crore as compared to the Rs 2200.70 crore in FY-2014. TIO in Q4-2015 at Rs 576.92 crore was 6.1 per cent more than the Rs 543.84 crore in Q4-2015 but was 4.7 per cent lower than the Rs 605.50 crore in the previous quarter.
The company reported 13.4 per cent decline in profit after tax (PAT) in FY -2015 at Rs 179.81 crore as compared to the Rs 207.53 crore in FY-2014. PAT in Q4-2015 at Rs 39.28 crore was 12.7 per cent higher than the Rs 34.84 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, but declined 38.6 per cent as compared to the Rs 63.97 crore in Q3-2015.
Advertising, circulation and other revenues
Advertising revenue in FY-2015 at Rs 1851.7 crore improved 5.3 per cent from the Rs 1758.3 crore in FY-2014. Ad revenue in Q4-2015 grew 5.7 per cent to Rs 465.3 crore from Rs 440.1 crore in the year ago quarter, but declined 6.3 per cent from the Rs 496.1 crore in the trailing quarter.
Circulation revenue in FY-2015 improved 10.8 per cent to Rs 284.8 crore from Rs 257 crore in FY-2014. In Q4-2015, circulation revenue improved 8.6 per cent to Rs 71.1 crore from Rs 65.5 crore in Q4-2014, but declined 3.1 per cent from Rs 73.4 crore in Q3-2015.
Other revenues in the current year declined 7.8 per cent to Rs 320.7 crore from Rs 347.7 crore in FY-2014. Other revenues improved 12.5 per cent in the current quarter to Rs 90.3 crore in Q4-2015 from Rs 80.3 crore in Q4-2014 and improved 13.2 per cent from Rs 79.8 crore in Q3-2014
Segment Revenue
Three segments contribute to HT Media’s numbers – (1) Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals (Publishing) (2) Radio and (3) Digital.
Radio segment’s results have been mentioned above.
Printing & Publishing of Newspapers & Periodicals (Printing)
The segment reported 2.9 per cent growth in revenue FY-2015 at Rs 2088.34 crore in FY-2015 as compared to the Rs 2029.61 crore in FY-2014. Revenue in Q4-2015 at Rs 522.85 crore was 5.5 per cent more than the Rs 495.65 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter, but declined 5.5 per cent as compared to the Rs 553.20 crore in Q3-2015.
Printing segment reported 9.4 per cent decline in operating profit to Rs 280.20 crore in Fy-2015 from Rs 309.41 crore in FY-2014. The segment’s operating profit in Q4-2015 declined 10.1 per cent to Rs 70.12 crore from Rs 78.04 crore in Q4-2014 and declined 10.7 per cent from Rs 78.49 crore in Q3-2015.
Digital segment
HT Media’s digital segment reported 36.3 per cent growth in FY-2015 to Rs 103.90 crore from Rs 76.22 crore in FY-2014.The segment reported 31.1 per cent growth in operating revenue to Rs 28.60 crore from Rs 21,82 crore in Q4-2014 and was 7.3 per cent more than the Rs 26.65 crore in Q3-2015. The segment has been reporting operating loss on a regular basis.
Company speak
HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobana Bhartia said, “We ended the year on a high note on the back of a growth in ad revenue and higher circulation in Mumbai and the Hindi belt. Hindustan Times’ Mumbai edition and Hindustan’s Uttar Pradesh editions, strengthened their presence in their respective geographies, and were both profitable. Our digital businesses grew handsomely and are at an inflection point. Radio continues to do well and we will invest in its growth. With a strong base, our continuing focus on digital initiatives and stronger tailwinds in the economy, we are confident of delivering value to our shareholders in the year ahead.”
The Board of Directors at its meeting on 15 May, 2015 recommended a dividend of Rs0.40 perequity share of Rs2 each; translating to 20 per cent of face value. Dividend for the year amounted to Rs 9.31 crore (excluding Dividend Distribution Tax).
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Brands
Lovetc appoints Tamannaah Bhatia as brand face
Ananya Birla’s premium colour cosmetics line gears up for strong second year with 30 per cent monthly growth and fresh face category launch.
MUMBAI: Lovetc is tinting its success story with a starry new shade Tamannaah Bhatia has just been named the face of Ananya Birla’s premium beauty brand. As the colour cosmetics label under Birla Cosmetics completes a vibrant first year in April 2026, it is entering its second chapter with impressive momentum. The brand has delivered 30 per cent month-on-month growth, expanded thoughtfully into offline and quick-commerce channels, and built a loyal following through a digital-first approach mixed with genuine consumer connections.
Priced between Rs 650 and Rs 1,850, Lovetc focused its debut portfolio on lips and eyes categories. Hero products such as Tint, Talk, Etc Radiant Glow Hydrating Tint (SPF 30 PA++), Pout, Perfect, Etc Matte Bullet Lipstick, and Melt, Miracle, Etc Treatment Oil-Infused Lip Balm quickly won hearts. Early shoppers showed strong purchase intent, with average order values ranging from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,800 and an average of two items per transaction, signalling healthy basket-building and repeat purchases.
The brand made its mark in key metros including Mumbai, NCR, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Patiala, Ludhiana, and Cochin, while Tier-2 cities surprised with robust demand and loyalty. On the distribution side, Lovetc entered 90 offline retail doors in year one and is on track to cross 150 doors by Q2 2026, choosing each outlet carefully to match its premium positioning.
To mark the milestone, Lovetc is stepping into the face category with the launch of Ace, Face, Etc 4K Blur Matte Foundation in eight shades tailored for diverse Indian skin tones. Additional innovations like the multi-purpose The Etc stick and longwear lip tint Love Bites are also in the pipeline.
Tamannaah Bhatia, known for her pan-India appeal across films and her authentic love for beauty, brings cultural relevance and credibility to the brand. Ananya Birla, founder of Birla Cosmetics, said, “Year Two is going to be big. The brief for every new launch remains the same: Does it perform? Is it playful? Is it kind to the person wearing it? Performance, playfulness, and kindness that is the promise we intend to keep. Bringing Tamannaah on board feels especially pertinent because she brings together an authentic love for beauty with a connection that cuts across audiences and geographies.”
Tamannaah Bhatia added, “I have always loved beauty as a form of self-expression, and what drew me to Lovetc is that it feels playful, thoughtful, and modern at the same time. I am excited to be the face of a brand that is creating products with both performance and personality.”
With deliberate growth, quality-focused retail expansion, and a celebrity partner who genuinely connects with beauty lovers nationwide, Lovetc is blending performance with personality in a market hungry for thoughtful premium options. As it steps into year two, the brand is proving that in beauty, the right tint can make everything glow a little brighter. Delhi, Mumbai, or a Tier-2 favourite Lovetc is colouring India’s beauty shelves with confidence and charm.
