Cable TV
Despite technology, content will continue to remain king: McCann
MUMBAI: “Television remains a strong, growth oriented business and despite fragmentation, rising internet interest and many gloomy forecasts, television viewership around the world is on the rise,” said Nielsen Media Research, International chairman Robert L McCann.
McCann was speaking at the third day of Ficci Frames 2006 in Mumbai. “PVRs and DVRs seem threatening but the focus should be on these infernal time shifting machines,” he added.
Throwing in some figures from the US, McCann said that more than $ 130 billion was spent in the US on television advertising. “The emerging truth is that the consumer is the boss. With the coming in of PVRs and DVRs, time shifting viewing, instant replay of live television, commercial zapping are all becoming a reality,” McCann said.
“Another reality is that emerging technologies may alter traditional advertising supported television business model. However, despite all these changes, content remains the king. Those who will embrace these changes will win and those who will ignore them may suffer,” McCann concluded.
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.
