Cable TV
Den Networks’ Q4 subscription revenue down 15% to Rs 190 crore
KOLKATA: Multi-system operator Den Networks has reported consolidated net profit at Rs 33.89 crore for the fourth quarter of financial year 2021 (FY21), a 50.56 per cent rise year-on-year basis.
Revenue from the operations stood at Rs 320.79 crore from the quarter, sharply declining from Rs 1195.48 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Total income also declined, down 3.49 per cent at Rs 355.52 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 368.39 crore in the same period a year ago.
The company’s consolidated EBITDA was at Rs 65 crore at the end of Q4, a marginal increase from Rs 64 crore during the corresponding period of FY20.
Den’s cable operations cover over 500+ cities/towns across 13 key states in India. While the cable business was incorporated in 2007, Den Broadband Ltd was incorporated in 2011. The company has its registered office in New Delhi. At present, it has enabled fixed broadband services across 41 cities or towns in India.
However, the operator has seen a huge decline in subscription revenue tumbling to Rs 190 crore, a 15 per cent degrowth year-on-year from Rs 222 crore. Activation revenues have grown by 24 per cent to reach Rs 34 crore compared to Rs 21 crore in the same quarter last year.
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.
