Cable TV
MGM Studios fires up domestic theatrical distribution unit
MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) announced the revitalisation of MGM’s domestic theatrical distribution business with a new strategy that calls for the release of several high profile films this year. The company named a new senior management team that will drive the growth of the distribution business and announced its 2006-2007 slate of theatrical releases.
MGM’s theatrical distribution unit will now be overseen by MGM chief operating officer Rick Sands. He most recently served as the president and COO of DreamWorks SKG and is the former COO of Miramax Films and has built an experienced team of executives to manage MGM’s domestic distribution.
Paramount Pictures veteran Clark Woods will serve as president, domestic theatrical distribution of MGM. In his new role, Woods, a 25-year veteran of Paramount Pictures, will supervise all aspects of theatrical distribution.
During his tenure with Paramount Pictures, Woods was involved with and spearheaded the distribution of films such as Titanic, Braveheart, Forrest Gump, Ordinary People, Raider’s of the Lost Ark, Terms of Endearment, Beverly Hills Cop, Mission: Impossible and War of the Worlds.
“We have an exceptional team in place to drive the growth of MGM’s domestic theatrical distribution. We expect that re-invigorating our distribution business in North America will pave the way for MGM to regain its prominence as a major force in providing new quality filmed entertainment on a global basis. As part of this strategy, we are pleased to announce an exciting slate of theatrical releases in 2006 and in the first quarter of 2007, involving many of the best actors, producers and directors in the business,” said MGM chairman and CEO Harry E Sloan.
MGM’s next release will be Lucky Number Slevin, which is scheduled to be released on 7 April in association with The Weinstein Company..
“We are rapidly expanding MGM’s distribution business. Going forward, through partnerships with independent production companies and studios, we plan to continually build an outstanding slate of releases. Working with these independent production companies, will enable us to focus on North American distribution as well as rights management worldwide. The future is about content and we are working to freshen and bulk up our world-class library, which will further enhance the value of the company,” said Sands.
MGM’s films (with video rights) will be distributed in the home video marketplace by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and also be made available on the Blu-Ray format.
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.
