Cable TV
Action to be taken against analogue-using MSOs / LCOs in urban areas
NEW DELHI: With the deadline for switching off analogue signals in Phase III of digitisation of cable television getting over on 31 January 2017, all nodal officers have been asked to initiate action against multi-system operators who are still continuing with analogue signals.
The information and broadcasting ministry said said that the nodal offices should immediately “ensure/confirm that the analogue signals in Phase lll areas are not transmitted with effect from 1 February 2017.
The ministry said that action against MSOs / cable operators can be initiated under Section 11 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 for violating Section 44. The ministry must be informed of action taken.
The deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III had been extended to 31 January 2017 because of the stay orders earlier granted by various high courts which were vacated by the Delhi High Court.
The Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs were requested on 17 January 2017 to ensure that the Authorised officers get acquainted with their powers and enforce them against defaulters MSOs/Cable Operators if they continue to carry analogue signals in Phase lll urban areas after 31 January 2017.
Under Section 44 of the Cable TV Act 1995, it is obligatory for every cable operator to transmit or re-transmit programmes of any channel in an encrypted form through a digital addressable system with effect from the date as may be specified/notified by the Ministry from time to time.
The Ministry claimed that the reports from many major MSOs having switched to digital signals, has been very encouraging. But, information from many MSOs are yet to be received.
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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.
