Cable TV
Cable operators reject Dual Illumination
NEW DELHI: The government’s compromise solution seems to have hit a speed breaker! On conditions of anonymity, government officials say that the cable operators, who met the information and broadcasting ministry officials as also I&B minister Prasad today, categorically stated that dual illumination would not be technically feasible as the existing infrastructure that most cable operators have at their disposal is not capable to take overloads that may result because of dual illumination of channels wherein a channel would be beamed in FTA and also pay mode.
Earlier in the day, when a delegation of the cable operators met Prasad, he attempted to allay their fears on dual illumination saying it was only a suggestion that was being studied by the government. After the meeting, Prasad, who generally loves to speak to the media, spoke briefly and left. “The government is in constant touch with the cable operators (on the CAS issue and its implementation) and is trying to ensure a smooth rollout of CAS,” the minister said, adding that the cable ops and MSOs are an important part of the industry.
Still, after talking to a few cable ops, who had gone to meet officials and the minister, it became clear the government had very few answers to their query, is still groping in the dark and to most of questions had a stock reply: “we are studying it or it is not final, but is under consideration.”
It is also learnt that one of the cable ops today conveyed to the additional secretary (broadcasting) in the I&B ministry, Vijay Singh, that all the suggestions being studied by the government are to “protect the interests” of certain broadcasters. The cable operators, who have threatened a hefty increase in the cable subscription fee if CAS is not implemented from 14 July, have also submitted a memorandum to the government today.
Meanwhile, Zee Telefilms will submit the prices of its channels tomorrow. Zee Turner CEO Sunil Khanna told indiantelevision.com today evening, “We will convey the prices tomorrow and would try to be more rational (than Star ).”
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.
