Cable TV
Don’t place a TV channel under multiple genres, TRAI warns MSOs
NEW DELHI: Coming down heavily on the practice of listing television channels under multiple genres (LCN), the Telecom Regulatory Authority today told multisystem operators to strictly comply with the regulatory framework in letter and spirit.
The regulator warned MSOs that action would be taken against MSOs under the TRAI Act if they failed to comply with the regulations in this regard.
TRAI said that the MSOs have been mandated to create genres in the electronic programme guide (EPG) and to place the channels in the genres as directed by the broadcaster.
The press note said this makes it easier for the subscriber to find the channel of his or her choice and is therefore consumer friendly.
At the outset, the regulator said it had taken several measures from time to time to protect the interests of consumers as well as service providers of the broadcasting and cable services sector. For providing a level playing field to service providers and to ensure orderly growth of the sector, the Authority issues regulations, orders and directions from time to time.
For the cable TV service provided through digital addressable systems, the technology provides for a ‘Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)” wherein the channels being carried on the operator’s network can be arranged and indexed in a simple. easy to understand manner so that the consumer can easily go through this guide and select the channel of his choice instead of flipping through a ll the channels. This display of channels in EPG can be genre-wise where all the channels of a particular genre are listed under that genre.
The extant regulatory framework provides that every broadcaster is required to declare the genre of its channel and such genre shall be either ‘News and Current Affairs’ or ‘Infotainment’ or ‘Sports’ or ‘Kids’ or ‘Music’ or ‘Lifestyle’ or ‘Movies’ or ‘Religious or Devotional’ or ·General Entertainment (Hindi)’ or ‘General Entertainment (English)’ or ‘General Enter1ainment (regional language)’. The MSOs carrying a channel on its network, has been mandated to place that channel in the genre so declared by the broadcaster of that channel. The MSO is required to ensure that a ll the channels falling in a particular genre appear in its network’s EPG under that genre.
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GUEST COLUMN: Is The Current News Dumbing Us Down?
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.
