Cable TV
MIB cancels three MSO licenses in April
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) reported that there are 1761 registered multi-system operators (MSOs) as of 30 April compared to 1763 registered MSOs on 22 March. The ministry granted one new license, cancelled three licenses and rejected two applications for license in the month of April.
MIB granted Manipur-based Infotainment Service & Communication Pvt Ltd license to operate on 21 March. It cancelled the license of RK Digital Cable TV Network, Panduranga Cable Network for being non-operational as well as Dewshree Network Pvt Ltd. The ministry rejected the applications of Shivam Cable & Broadband Pvt Ltd and Rallyon Technology due to suppression of vital information.
Previously, MIB had granted 13 licenses between 31 December 2021 and 21 March 2022 including the MSOs Sky Media, SGRA Satellite Cable Network, Dainik Savera News and Media Network, Sai Namo Digital Cable Network, Inishia Media, Ganapati Digital Network, Swastika, Grand Gumber Network, Digital Fusion Network, Raaga Communication, SSCN Digital TV and Broadband, Assistive Netspeed Technologies and Asiasat Channel and Consultancy India.
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.
