Cable TV
Govt directs cable ops to furnish TV channel details
NEW DELHI: With an eye on future media regulations, the government has asked MSOs and cable operators to furnish the details of TV channels they re-transmit on their networks, including local cable-delivered video channels.
In a letter to MSOs and to Cable Operators’ Federation of India, dated 26 June 2006, the information and broadcasting ministry has said that the government is developing a centralised data bank of all TV channels, including video channels, for monitoring purpose and, hence details would be needed for the same.
This step has been taken, explained a ministry official, to effectively monitor even local video channels run by cable operators where news, along with entertainment, form part of the programming line up.
The detail sought by the government is over and above the registration process of TV channels initiated under the downlinking guidelines where all satellite channels would have to obtain landing rights from designated authorities.
On last count, 65-odd TV channels had applied for landing rights in a country that boasted of over 300 channels being accessible to subscribers of cable TV and DTH.
Some cable operators, however, feel that the latest initiative would increase paperwork and is an attempt by the government to crack down on local video channels, which also air music videos some of that have run into problems with the authorities when aired on music channels.
The government official played down the directive to MSOs and cable ops, saying it was a “routine matter.”
In a draft broadcast bill, the government has proposed that all cable operators would have to register themselves with the government and/or the regulatory body to run cable networks and adhere to certain other criteria.
Presently, a person just needs to register with the local post office to start a cable network after paying a nominal amount of money wherein things like quality of service and after sales service to subscribers are not given much importance.
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.
