Cable TV
MIB revokes 12 and grants 6 MSO licenses between April & July
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting has granted six new licenses to multi-system operators (MSOs) between 21 April to 4 July and cancelled 12 licenses between April and 4 July. The total number of registered MSOs stood at 1753.
MIB granted licenses to M/s Infotainment Service & Communications Pvt Ltd, Softech Infosol Private Ltd, Bhumi Cable, Shabkha Taqnia Private Ltd, Tribeni Entertainment and Binodan Digital Ltd
MIB cancelled the registration of Yadav Cable, Sri Laxmi Local Cable TV, Thulasis Technology Private Limited, Surbhi Diginet, Sahya Digital Networks LLP, LD Family Network, Krishna Cable Network, South Star Digital Network Private Limited, RK Digital Cable TV Network, Panduranga Cable Network, Rallyon Technology and Shivam Cable & Broadband Ltd.
Four MSO registrations including Kailash Cable Network, Bhawani Rajesh Cable and Digitech Services, Asiant Network and Ashiana Communication Mcr expired in June.
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.
