Cable TV
NCTA commits to helping families block undesirable content
MUMBAI: On the heels of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stepping up its attack on indecent programming in the US the National Cable & Telecommunications (NCTA) has launched a ControlYourTV.org website.
This is a a part of the NCTA’s efforts to help parents and care givers control the flow of television programming into their homes.
The site provides information about tools and resources cable provides so that families can control programming that comes into their homes and make educated and responsible decisions about television viewing. Cable companies and programming networks are working to make it easier for families to monitor and block programming they may choose not to view.
The site was launched during the annual forum of the Cable Television Public Affairs Association a few days ago. Cable companies including the 10 largest NCTA member companies and many smaller cable companies a group representing about 85 per cent of all cable subscribers will make available upon request, at no additional charge, channel blocking technology to any cable customer who doesnt already possess the equipment necessary to block channels.
In addition, NCTA member cable networks reaffirmed their commitment to apply TV ratings and content labels to their programming, put the appropriate rating icon on-screen at the beginning of rated programs, and encode the ratings in programming so that they can be interpreted by a V-Chip equipped television set.
The ControlYourTV.org website includes specific instructions about how to programme parental control technology, descriptions of the TV ratings system and V-chip. There are also descriptions of a sampling of TV shows appropriate for children and family viewing, and a list of media literacy resources.
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.
