Cable TV
MSO Alliance condemns attack on Hathway senior executive
MUMBAI: The MSO Alliance comprising Hathway Cable & Datacom, SitiCable, DEN Networks and IndusInd Media and Communication Limited (IMCL) has condemned the attack on Delhi-based senior executive of Hathway.
The executive was attacked in Gurgaon on 25 February, while he was on his way home and is currently recuperating in the hospital.
A statement issued by MSO Alliance secretary SN Sharma reads, “All national MSOs are implementing DAS as per rules and regulations defined by TRAI and are implementing the law passed by the Parliament to bring greater transparency in the entire value chain of the cable TV industry. This is being done to enhance consumer viewing by delivering world class digital experience to them. However, there are certain persons who are trying to derail the entire process of digitisation and have even used illegitimate and criminal means to stall the process.”
All the leading MSOs have strongly deplored and condemned the criminal and nefarious activities “and persons who have done such reprehensible act against an employee who had no fault and was simply involved in implementing the law of land,” the MSO Alliance says.
The MSO Alliance has reiterated its commitment to DAS. “We would like to emphasise once again that such activities would not deter us in implementing the process of digitising the country and we urge the authorities to take strict action against such criminals immediately,” reads the note.
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.
