Cable TV
Police case filed against two Hathway-linked LCOs in Kolkata for illegally carrying Star Sports 1 signals
NEW DELHI: Kolkata police has registered a first information report (FIR) against two local cable operators (LCOs) Akash Darpan and Titli Cable Service, both linked to multi system operator Hathway Cable and Datacom’s network for illegally re-transmitting signals of Star Sports1 on unencrypted frequencies.
The FIR follows the raids conducted by the Kolkata police after a complaint was filed by Star on 22 July against ‘the deliberate illegal acts of Hathway.’
Acting on the complaint, the police raided the control rooms of the LCOs and found that the signals of Star Sports 1 were being retransmitted in unencrypted mode on LCN No. 872 meant for local channels. The police registered an FIR No. 649/14 dated 22 July 2014 against Hathway and the two LCOs under sections 120-B/409 IPC and 37/51/63/65/69 Copyright Act.
Star said in a press release that ‘in order to mislead and deceive it, Hathway has adopted an unlawful methodology whereby Hathway’s electronic programming guide (EPG) displays to the subscribers that the said TV channel is available on an a-la-carte basis. However, the said channel is available and enjoyed by Hathway subscribers even without opting for the said TV channel on an a-la-carte basis by the unlawful placement of the TV channel in unencrypted frequencies/forms.’
The broadcaster also claims that because of the unlawful placement of the channel, the subscriber base of Star Sports1 is not captured on the SMS and Cable Access System of Hathway. Consequently, the MSO does not pay any license/subscription fee, though the channel is available and viewed by the Hathway subscribers.
Star investigated the issue and video recorded the unencrypted retransmission by Hathway on 19 July on being informed of the illegal retransmission.
Even earlier, Hathway had illegally carried Star Sports channels on unencrypted frequencies in the DAS notified city of Mumbai in gross violation of the provisions of sections 51 & 63 of the Copyright Act, the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act and the applicable Regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. A legal notice on 27 February 2014 was issued by Star Sports India in this regard.
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.
