Cable TV
Asean, Casbaa, USPTO heighten awareness of broadcast IPR
MUMBAI: The Asean Secretariat and US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), with the support and assistance of the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa), today launched a high-level, two-day seminar focusing on best practices in anti-piracy enforcement and intellectual property (IP) rights in broadcasting.
The seminar marked the first time the Asean Secretariat, Casbaa and the USPTO have combined resources, bringing together government officials with pay-TV industry executives, local and international cable operators, content creators, regional regulators and IPR experts.
Robert L. Stoll, Director, Office of Enforcement (USPTO) said, “A robust regulatory framework is crucial for protecting and promoting the flow of creative work of all of the individuals and companies in the broadcast business.”
Rohazar Wati Zuallcobley, Deputy Director General, Malaysian Intellectual Property Office speaking on behalf of the Asean Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation said, “The television industry has enormous potential for growth in many Asean economies. However, we must act with urgency to strengthen the protection and enforcement of IP rights to fully realise that potential.”
“We are pleased to support the USPTO and the Asean Secretariat in this joint initiative,” said Marcel Fenez, the Chairman of Casbaa. “Cooperation between government and the private sector plays a significant role in reducing piracy and driving the pay-TV sector’s contribution to economic progress within Asean countries.”
Casbaa recently released estimates showing that annual losses from illegal pay-TV connections will reach US$1.13 billion in 2006.
Key issues addressed at the forum included how to the structure regulatory regimes to successfully protect IP in broadcasting, the latest developments in anti-piracy technology and the challenges posed by new delivery platforms such as mobile TV and web casting.
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.
