Cable TV
IMCL makes managerial changes
MUMBAI: It was in January this year when the IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL), a subsidiary of Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) brought in huge top management changes, which sent shock waves to the entire industry.
The media arm of HVL, which appointed Tony D’silva as the group CEO-media of HVL and also the IMCL MD and CEO had then said that the restructuring is to enhance synergy across its various media initiatives.
Now, the multi system operator (MSO) has got in more resources to build the business as it goes in the phase III and phase IV of DAS markets. Strengthening team D’silva is Amar Chintopanth who has joined as the new group chief financial officer – Media of HVL. Chintopanth will report to D’silva.
Commenting on the appointment, D’silva said: “I am delighted to welcome Amar to the team at Hinduja Ventures and I’m sure his rich experience in the financial space will help us immensely as we work towards the next phase of digitisation and growth.”
“I am honoured to be part of the Hinduja Group and thank the HVL Board for entrusting me with this responsibility,” said Chintopanth on his new role. He added, “My immediate focus is to continue the emphasis on taking advantage of opportunities presented by digitisation in the cable business.”
Not only this, the company has also roped in Rouse Koshy, a former Hathway hand who is now IMCL- All India- head of operations. IMCL has also appointed Aslam Mulla as its vice president operations west region. The trio joined the company in mid-March.
With D’silva having to juggle between the new HITS project and also looking at IMCL, the new entrants in the company will surely help him take IMCL to new heights.
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.
