Cable TV
Hathway & GTPL to jointly negotiate contracts nationally with broadcasters
MUMBAI: Hathway and GTPL have entered into a mutual alliance to jointly negotiate contracts related to content and carriage with all broadcasters going forward.
This would include all-India subscription agreements as well as carriage-cum-placement agreements for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) notified and Non-DAS markets. Additionally, all commercials mutually agreed by both entities with the broadcaster will be applicable to all its subsidiaries and associate entities.
Hathway video business president T.S. Panesar said, “Our mutual understanding with GTPL will bring in better synergies with a more focused, proactive approach in order to build clarity within the value chain, avoid duplication of time and effort, thus, paving the way for systematic functioning.”
GTPL managing director Anirudh Singh Jadeja added, “We are happy to align collectively to negotiate all further deals as it will ensure that resources are best utilised and optimum output is achieved.”
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.
