Cable TV
Broadcasters asked to step up publicity, even as Govt rules out extension of DAS Phase III
NEW DELHI: Reiterating that there was no question of an extension of the 31 December deadline for switching off analogue signals, the Task Force of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today urged broadcasters to step up their publicity in preparation for the final phase in December 2016.
The stakeholders were told that reports indicated that over 80 per cent of seeding of set top boxes (STBs) in all remaining urban areas that are to be covered in the current phase.
Broadcasters were also encouraged to come up with newer formats of their appeals to viewers on channels that would catch the attention of the target viewers.
The Task Force chaired by Special Secretary J S Mathur with the presence of Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya was told that there was nothing in law to bar litigants from going to court and it was for the judiciary to deal with these issues.
At the same time, the government will make all efforts to defend itself in various courts.
Although the Bombay High Court and some other High Courts have already refused to extend the deadline, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued a stay till the next date and the Government said would be replied to. Similarly, a case relating to operators in Indore was coming up for hearing tomorrow (31 December).
Some participants who did not wish to be named told Indiantelevision.com that a bleak picture was sought to be presented by some participants including the Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation (MCOF) but the Ministry officials answered these queries.
Similarly, the Ministry turned down the demand by some states for extension of date.
A clarification was also given to the effect that while MSOs may use a single control room for transmitting DAS signals under Phase III and analogue under Phase IV, they would need IRDs from broadcasters for these signals.
The Task Force, which expects to release its minutes in a day or two, is also working out the figures of STBs available with direct-to-home (DTH) players that can be used. Clarifications were given with regard to queries by some stakeholders about STBs.
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.
