Cable TV
Hathway launches dedicated online portal for LCOs
MUMBAI: With an aim to redefine, transform business dynamics and further strengthen the role of the local cable operator (LCO) in the distribution chain, Hathway has launched a special initiative – Hathway Connect.
Launched in Bangalore on 28 January, Hathway Connect is designed to make the lives of LCOs easy and convenient by providing technology and support through a dedicated online portal, which will have detailed features that will allow the LCO to run his business efficiently and effectively, in turn, offering better quality and high standard customer experience.
Hathway Cable & Datacom CEO and managing director Jagdish Kumar said, “In the era of technology and digitisation, the world is shrinking and we are living technology. The C&S industry in India has seen major changes in the last 5 years and as we move forward, technology will form an integral part of how the cable industry performs and matches customer expectations. Through Hathway Connect, we aim to empower our LCO partners with technology and business tools that will upgrade the way they do business on a daily basis and transform customer experience.”
The digitisation era has raised several questions about the existence of the LCO in the cable value chain. With this disruptive move, Hathway aims to strengthen the role of the LCO even further in reaching out to its subscribers and delivering world-class entertainment with unmatched customer service levels.
Hathway Cable & Datacom president – video business TS Panesar added, “Our LCO partners have been the backbone of this industry, the heart of our business, which we truly recognise and appreciate. Through the new online portal, we aim to empower them to run their business independently and upgrade customer experience levels, thus, becoming competitive with the industry.”
Some salient features that the online portal offers are: online activation of new customer (E-CAF), pack management, balance management including integration with bill desk, customer prepaid option, sending customised notifications to subscribers, specialised LCO help desk and self-care through mobile app amongst many others.
Panesar said that these features will help LCOs scale up operations, create efficient and seamless processes with the overall objective of giving customers the best offering.
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.
