Cable TV
DEN Digital Cable: Den Networks hikes stake to 88.57%
MUMBAI: Den Networks recently entered into a pact with DEN Digital Cable Network (DDCN) for increasing equity stake of the company in DDCN.
Cable television multi-system operator (MSO) Den Networks has bought an additional 37.57 per cent shares in its subsidiary DEN Digital Cable Network, eventually hiking its stake to 88.57 per cent.
“Den Networks Ltd has entered into an agreement with DEN Digital Cable Network (DDCN) for increasing equity stake of the company in DDCN from 51 percent to 88.57 percent,” Den Networks said in a BSE filing.
The company has purchased the stake from existing shareholders of DDCN, the company added in the filing. The price of additional share purchase is Rs 4.60 crore.
DDCN carries its business of cable services in Gurgaon and the additional acquisition would help consolidate the cable business of the company in the state of Haryana.
Two main segments currently contribute to Den’s revenue: Cable distribution network segment (Cable, Cable business) and Broadband internet segment (Boomband).
Den Networks Ltd (Den) Cable business segment consolidated total revenue (pre-activation) increased 18 per cent in in the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter) to Rs 258 crore from Rs 231 crore in Q2-16. The company reported consolidated EBIDTA of Rs 34 crore in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 1 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Consolidated net loss in Q2-17 more than halved to Rs 48 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 99 crore in Q2-16.
Cable subscription revenue increased 31 percent y-o-y to Rs140 crore in Q2-17 from Rs115 crore in Q2-16. Cable activation revenue increased 17 percent y-o-y to Rs 32 crore from Rs 27 crore. Placement revenue declined 13 per cent y-o-y to Rs86 crore from Rs98 crore.
The company reported 101 lakh DAS subscribers, of which 51 lakh were from DAS phases III and IV for Q2-17. The company had 76 lakh digital subscribers in Q2-16.Den has a cable subscriber base of 1.3 crore.
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.
