Cable TV
Arasu reports Rs 181.91 crore revenue in 2014-15
MUMBAI: J. Jayalalithaa owned Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation’s (TACTV) revenues have seen an upward trend after it was revived by the present AIADMK regime. The multi system operator (MSO) has reported revenue of Rs 181.91 crore in 2014-15 from Rs 2 crore it had reported in 2010-2011.
As per the Information Technology Department policy note tabled in the State Assembly, Arasu’s revenue rose by 64.3 per cent between 2011-2012 and 2014-15, in view of growing subscriber base, a PTI report said. The MSO had reported revenue of Rs 64.8 crore in 2011-12.
The increase in revenue, as per the report, was due to increasing subscriber base and tapping revenues from private local channels.
While the MSO has so far not been granted the licence to operate in the DAS areas, its cable subscribers have grown manifold. Arasu, which in September 2011 had 4.94 lakh subscribers in Tamil Nadu, currently serves 70.52 lakh subscribers through 26,246 local cable operators (LCOs).
Additionally, realizing the need for having a broadband base in order to grow the average revenue per user (ARPU), Arasu entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation for providing broadband and internet services through LCOs.
As per the PTI report, the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has granted the Unified License—ISP Category ‘B’ authorisation for offering the broadband and internet services.
As a pilot project, around 1000 internet connections, through 35 LCOs have been provided and the service quality is being closely monitored. The government is taking steps to popularise internet service through LCOs in order to increase connections in the state.
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.
