Cable TV
LCD sets drive sale of consumer electronics across Asia: GfK study
MUMBAI: Market research firm GfK Asia has released its 2005 Year End Pan Asian Consumer Electronics Data Summary.
This highlights the trends in the region’s consumer electronics sector for 2005 in several categories across Asia. The report includes data from 11 countries including China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The most significant growth in the television segment both in volume and value across the region, was seen in the LCD market, which more than doubled the plasma volume but equaled plasma value over the same time period.
This data highlights the continuing trend away from conventional TV and projection TV towards LCD and plasma screen. Massive increases in LCD market volume and value were seen in Indonesia over 500 per cent , China over 450 per cent, Korea 431 per cent, and Malaysia over 350 per cent.
Alll countries surveyed showed an overall increase over plasma televisions. This may be due to the lower power consumption requirements, quicker response time and larger screen sizes of the LCD as compared to the plasma. However, it’s higher average unit price still allows a secure place in the market for price sensitive consumers who prefer the lower cost plasma.
The DVD recorder market grew significantly in all 11 Asian countries surveyed, with an average increase of 141 per cent in volume, and a 78 per cent increase in value. Normally a slow adopter, Australia posted surprising results with an increase in volume (188 per cent) and an increase in value (104 per cent). This may be explained by the Australian consumer’s greater desire for home recording of popular TV programming.
Vietnam showed an increase of 191 per cent in volume and 119 per cent in value in the home theatre market, where other countries in the region ranged anywhere from a decrease of 19 per cent volume to a maximum volume increase of only 14 per cent.
A consistent decline in personal head phone stereos was seen in all 11 countries tracked. The largest decline was seen in Thailand which was down by 67 per cent in terms of volume. With the smallest decrease seen in Indonesia down by 15 per cent.
Similarly, the video camcorder results reveal the beginning of the end of the product life cycle with data showing negative to very limited average growth throughout the region.
While the total MP3 market was up across the region, the most notable average increase in 2005 against 2004 was the MP3 with Hard Disk Drive over the MP3 with flash. In the five countries GfK tracked, all showed remarkable
average volume growth of over 200% at year-end compared to the same time frame in 2004. Australia lead the region posting a 549 per cent increase in volume size and an average value growth of 639 per cent for MP3 with flash, and a 201 per cent volume increase for MP3 with Hard Disk Drive, against the same period in 2004.
GfK commercial director of consumer electronics, Asia Victor Chua says, “Today’s consumer is savvy; they are comparing every single dollar they pay per memory capacity they get and basing their purchases on best value. For instance, a 1G byte MP3 with flash has an average selling price of $ 176 while a 5 G bytes MP3 with HDD is selling on an average of $ 241. Our results show that consumers are willing to pay more for the greater increase in memory. We do see a challenge to the MP3 market in South Korea where more and more mobile phone makers have integrated MP3 functions into their products. This technology will impact the demand for the MP3 players in this market.”
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.
