Cable TV
MSOs upload channel capacity & RIO, AIDCF requests b’casters too
MUMBAI: Multi-system-operators (MSOs) in India which fall under the aegis of All-India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) yesterday night uploaded their RIO, channel carrying capacity and interconnect agreements on their respective websites. AIDCF, a few days back, had advised its member-MSOs to upload the same before the deadline set by TRAI.
It is not clear when or whether broadcasters will follow TRAI guidelines and upload RIO on their respective websites.
In this digital era, MSOs are now ready to pass on the benefits of the new tariff order to 120 million viewers of TV channels.
The new set of Tariff and Interconnect Regulations issued by TRAI will help in creating a level playing field for all the stakeholders, specially the end viewers who will now have complete freedom at their disposal. It will also help in bringing more transparency and fuel growth by regulating and balancing the entire broadcasting eco-system.
AIDCF, once again requests all the Broadcasters to upload their RIO on their websites without any further ado, as the deadline for the same has already expired.
AIDCF president TS Panesar said,“To honour TRAIs deadline and pass on
the benefits of new regulations to end viewers, MSOs are fully ready as
they have already uploaded their RIO, Channel Carrying Capacity and
Interconnect Agreement on their websites. We hope that esteemed
Broadcasters would join hands with us and upload their RIO rates ASAP
in true spirit of collaboration and indulgence.”
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.
