GECs
Q2-17: Zee Media operating profit up
BENGALURU: The Essel Group’s news network Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) reported more than double (2.47 times) year-over-year (y-o-y) operating profit (Simple EBIDTA) for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter) . The company reported EBIDTA of Rs 18 crore (14.3 per cent of Total Income from Operations or TIO) in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 7.28 crore (5.7 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s EBIDTA grew 1.6 per cent quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) from Rs 17.71 crore (13.8 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.
Revenue breakup
ZMCL’s TIO in the current quarter was almost flat y-o-y as well as q-o-q. The company reported 0.7 per cent y-o-y decline in Q2-17 at Rs 126.15 crore as compared to Rs 127.05 crore and a 1.6 per cent q-o-q decline from Rs 128.24 crore.
ZMCL reported an 8.3 per cent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue in Q2-17 at Rs 98.24 crore (77.9 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 90.69 crore, but a 4 per cent q-o-q decline from Rs 102.35 crore. Advertising revenue from ZMCL’s existing channels increased 17.7 per cent y-o-y in Q2-17 to Rs 77.63 crore from Rs 65.93 crore but declined 3 per cent q-o-q from Rs 80.01 crore. Advertising revenue from new channels increased 6.3 per cent y-o-y in Q2-17 to Rs 7.08 crore from Rs 6.66 crore, but declined 2.9 per cent q-o-q from Rs 7.29 crore
Since 1 June, 2016, the company’s flagship channel Zee News became free-to-air (FTA). Subscription revenue in the current quarter declined 39.9 per cent y-o-y to Rs 16.37 crore (13 per cent of TIO) from Rs 27.24 crore (21.4 per cent of TIO) and declined 8.4 per cent q-o-q from Rs 17.89 crore (14 per cent of TIO).
Subscription revenues from Existing channels declined 42.3 per cent y-o-y to Rs 14.09 crore from Rs 24.44 crore and declined 9 per cent q-o-q from Rs 15.48 crore.
Other sales and services revenue increased 26.8 per cent q-o-q to Rs 11.55 crore (9.2 per cent of TIO) from Rs 9.11 crore (7.2 per cent of TIO) and increased 44.4 per cent from Rs 8 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. Other revenues for existing channels declined 45.9 per cent y-o-y to Rs 1.77 crore from Rs 3.27 crore, but increased 14.2 per cent from Rs 1.55 crore.
Business Revenue breakup
Revenue from ZMCL’s Television Broadcasting Busin ess (TV Business) was flat y-o-y (increased by 0.3 per cent) at Rs 100.57 crore as compared to Rs 100.30 crore, but declined 3.6 per cent q-o-q from Rs 104.34 crore. The TV Business reported more than sevenfold (7.41 times) y-o-y increase in operating profit at Rs 13.89 crore as compared to Rs1.88 crore, but a 6.1 per cent q-o-q decline from Rs 104.34 crore.
Revenue from ZMCL’s print business was almost flat (increased 0.7 per cent) y-o-y at Rs 30.26 crore vis-à-vis Rs 30.03 crore and increased 4.3 per cent q-o-q from Rs 29 crore. The business reported lower y-o-y operating loss of Rs 5.88 crore as compared to Rs 6.86 crore. ZMCL’s print business had reported a lower operating loss of Rs 3.79 crore in Q1-17.
A look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL
ZMCL reported a lower y-o-y loss of Rs 18.04 crore in the current quarter as compared to a loss of Rs 19.86 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. The company had reported a profit after tax of Rs 0.09 crore for the immediate trailing quarter. In may be noted that ZMCL has incurred an exceptional loss of Rs 18.88 crore due to sale of land and buildings of a subsidiary in the current quarter.
The company has controlled its total expenditure in Q2-17, which declined 11 per cent y-o-y to Rs 118.22 crore (93.7 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 132.79 crore (104.5 per cent of TIO) and was 2.2 per cent lower q-o-q as compared to Rs 120.83 crore.
Cost of Raw materials consumed in the current quarter declined 18 per cent y-o-y to Rs 10.32 crore (8.2 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 12.59 crore (9.9 per cent of TIO) but was 2.1 per cent more q-o-q than Rs 10.11 crore (7.9 per cent of TIO).
Employee Benefits Expenses in the current quarter declined 19.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 30.45 crore (24.1 per cent ofTIO) from Rs 31.92 crore (29.9 per cent of TIO) and was 4.6 per cent lower q-o-q than the Rs 38.60 crore (24.9 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.
ZMCL’s Marketing, Distribution and Business Promotion Expenses (Marketing expenses) in the current quarter declined 45.9 per cent y-o-y to Rs 13.52 crore (10.7 per cent of TIO) from Rs 24.97 crore (19.6 per cent of TIO) and declined 15.8 per cent q-o-q from Rs 16.05 crore (12.5 per cent of TIO).
Operational costs in Q2-17 increased 11.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 23.55 crore (18.7 per cent of TIO) from Rs 21.14 crore (16.6 per cent of TIO) and increased 26.1 per cent q-o-q from Rs 18.67 crore (14.6 per cent of TIO).
Other expense in Q2-17 increased 31.3 per cent y-o-y to Rs 30.31 crore (24 per cent of TIO) from Rs 23.08 crore (18.2 per cent of TIO) but declined 21.3 per cent q-o-q from Rs 38.51 crore (30 per cent of TIO).
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
