Cable TV
Pay TV execs feel need to innovate to remain relevant, finds study
MUMBAI: With the advent of digital content platforms, pay TV industry across the world is facing stiff competition. The pay TV Innovation Forum report produced by Nagra in association with research firm MTM, found that 90 per cent of executives believe that pay TV providers will have to innovate strongly to remain competitive and relevant.
The research has also found that 84 per cent of pay-TV executives expect competition for paid-for video services to increase dramatically over the next five years. The number of 90 per cent of executives who believe that pay TV providers will have to innovate strongly is 5 per cent up from last year. However, participants are optimistic they can continue to appeal to paying consumer.
Findings of the report are based on extensive regional research conducted in Europe, North America, with a special focus on the United States, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
It has also highlighted that the pay TV (http://www.indiantelevision.c
“Change is the one constant in the global pay-TV industry, driven by numerous pressures from competitors, pirates and subscribers, making it challenging for service providers and content owners to maintain revenue growth,” said NAGRA product marketing senior director Simon Trudelle.
Executives have agreed that piracy remains a major problem. In addition to that, 47 per cent of respondents believe that piracy will lead to greater pressures on the industry over the next five years.
“It is exciting to see a growing number of service providers embarking on the next stage of innovation, encompassing product and service portfolio improvements, alongside advanced technology platforms and new commercial and operating models,” said MTM managing partner Jon Watts said. “By keeping innovation at the core of their strategies and recognising the need to diversify, service providers can continue to compete effectively and grow revenue,” he added.
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.
