Cable TV
Cable operators urge Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to reduce entertainment tax
NEW DELHI: The Cable Operators Welfare Federation (COWF) has been assured by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that he would examine their grievances including the recent hike in entertainment tax by the Delhi government.
In a meeting that lasted more than an hour, Kejriwal heard the 30-member delegation led by its president Surjeet Singh on various issues.
COWF convenor Ramesh Zadoo later told indiantelevision.com that the meeting was “positive, fruitful and favourable for local cable operators” and the CM promised to protect the interest of cable operators.
Kejriwal promised a study of entertainment tax within seven days and said if the demand of the LCOs of reducing the tax to Rs 20 is possible, the government will consider a roll back of the recent hike.
COWF suggested to the CM that he could offset the loss on account of entertainment tax by increasing the tax on DTH to Rs 50 as that is aimed at the upper class. They also complained about supply of inferior Set Top Boxes by multi-system operators. They also referred to VAT & tax evasion by MSO and broadcasters. The COWF also apprised Kejriwal about the harassment and switching off STB/ disconnecting line without notice by MSOs, thus inconveniencing the public.
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.
