Cable TV
NXT Digital signs RIO deal with Taj Television
MUMBAI: The Hinduja Group’s Headend In The Sky (HITS) service under the brand name NXT Digital has finally struck a reference interconnect offer (RIO) deal with Zee Entertainment’s distribution subsidiary Taj Television India, by virtue of which it will be able to include Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) and Turner International India’s channels in its bouquet of offerings.
As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the matter was with the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and the two companies informed the Tribunal that Taj Television will provide its signals to Hinduja Group’s Grant Investrade as soon as an inter-connect agreement was signed.
Zeel and Turner International were the only major broadcasting networks that were missing from the service’s bouquet. This deal will see NXT Digital, the rapidly growing platform in phase III areas, having a wholesome catalogue to offer to the operators, as well as reach a larger audience.
Speaking on the signing of the new deal, a source from close to development told Indiantelevision.com, “The channels will be available on an ? la carte basis. And we are certain that this deal will help NXT Digital garner an enhanced reach.”
This gives a definite edge to NXT Digital, which is the second HITS player in the country, the first being Jain HITS NXT Digital was launched earlier this year with state of art technology. On the other hand, Jain HITS is currently in the process of upgrading its technology.
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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.
