Cable TV
AIDCF appoints Saharsh Damani as secretary general
MUMBAI: The All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) has appointed Saharsh Damani as its secretary general.
With a career spanning over a decade in various analytical and strategic roles, Damani will pilot the federation’s work and support the president and the federation in seeking solutions on industry issues. Damani will also endeavour to build a strong and sustainable MSO sector in India.
AIDCF president V D Wadhwa said, “Saharsh’s wide experience in dealing into research, planning and strategic issues will be of immense help to the Federation. I take this opportunity to join my fellow members in welcoming Saharsh to AIDCF.”
Prior to joining AIDCF, Damani led research at the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, the preeminent body of television broadcasters’ in India. He has worked in various industries such as Information Technology, Building Materials, Life Sciences and Media on strategy, M&A and research related areas.
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.
