Cable TV
Hathway, DEN, Siti reveal packs under new TRAI tariff order
MUMBAI: Major DTH players and MSOs have started updating new channel and package pricing as per the new TRAI tariff order. Soon after major broadcasters announced new rates, DPOs are taking swift action making it easier for consumers to choose their desired channels. Last month, TRAI gave an additional one month for the implementation of the new regime to make the transition of consumers smoother.
Essel group promoted Siti Networks has revealed five suggestive packs ranging from Rs 52.5 to Rs 166 excluding GST. The number of channels also varies in the suggestive packs. While the first one has 18 channels, the highest number of channels i.e 49, is available on the fifth pay pack.
Another national MSO Den Networks has revealed over 10 suggestive packs leaving more options from consumers. The prices of the packages range from Rs 199 to Rs 500 inclusive of taxes. DEN Intro Pack priced Rs 199 mostly comprises free to air (FTA) channels barring a few pay channels in the news and infotainment space while DEN Titanium Pack priced at Rs 500 offers a large number of channels across genres.
Leading MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom has also updated several new packs including the base pack containing 100 FTA channels along with regional add-ons and genre add-ons. Moreover, Hathway has created different packages for different markets like Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Hindi speaking markets. Both the Prime and Royal packs offered by the operator include major channels from all the genres while the Royal packs leave much more option.
Two DTH players i.e., Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV, have published the prices of individual channels. However, along with segregating the available channels on its network on the basis of genres, Dish TV has highlighted different packs from broadcasters in another list. Airtel Digital TV has only provided the pricing of the individual channels on its website. The DTH operator is offering no discount on the price which is offered by the broadcasters and just passing on the channels by adding tax to the same pricing.
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.
