Cable TV
Hungama TV takes second position in kids channel genre
MUMBAI: Hungama TV is riding on high spirits as the verdict is finally out. The channel has climbed up to the second position in the kids channel genre, with 97 GRPs and a market share of 21 per cent.
On the otherhand, Pogo, which was behind leader Cartoon Network on the second spot had GRP of 93 and a market share 20 per cent. The latest Tam ratings have revealed that Hungama TV is the kids channel to record the highest week on week growth in GRPs in January and February this year.
The combination of live actions shows like Hero, Sanya, Shaka Laka Boom Boom and animation shows like Doraemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Jay Jay- The Jet Plane on the channel has struck the right cord with kids.
As per Tam, Doraemon leads in TVRs amongst 4-14 year olds amongst all kids channel as well as Star Plus, Zee, Zee Cinema, Aaj Tak and Sony on weekdays between 6 to 6.30 pm. Also, Hungama TV has higher GRPs than Toon Disney and Disney put together (Graphs attached for your reference).
UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala said, “We are very proud that Hungama TV has achieved the second position amongst all channels in the kids’ category. Our consistently increasing GRPs indicate that our multi-genre programming is appreciated and enjoyed by our target audience. We will continue our endeavours to give Indian kids the best entertainment.”
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.
