Cable TV
Animal Planet goes to the movies
MUMBAI: From Free Willy to Benji, animals have always been a part of the movie industry whether as stars of the show or simply filling their role as “man’s best friend.” But few people think about the trainers who work with them and prepare them for their spot in the limelight.
This month Animal Planet takes its viewers behind the scenes for exclusive access to the animals and their trainers who are rehearsing for their latest big picture roles. The series Animal Planet At The Movies airs every Sunday at 8 pm.
Some movies featured in the series include The Hawk is Dying (featuring Paul Giamatti), the remake of The Shaggy Dog (starring Tim Allen and Kristin Davis) and Greyfriars Bobby (starring Christopher Lee).
Following the filmmaking process from beginning to end, the series aims at providing viewers with an insight into the relationships that develop between director, trainer, actor and animal. Featuring scenes from the actual movies and personal interviews with animal trainers and the animals’ human co-stars, the series looks at the on-going care that animals receive, the problems that some species pose and favourite anecdotes from veteran trainers.
Viewers learn how the animals get familiarised with equipment, different locations and actors, as well as how they are maintained, fed and handled.
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.
