I&B Ministry
Radio City reports higher revenue & profits for first quarter
BENGALURU: India FM Radio company Music Broadcast Limited (MBL) or Radio City reported higher revenue and improved profits for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q1-17). The company reported 17.3 per cent higher total income for Q1-18 at Rs 703.1 million as compared to Rs 628.4 million in Q1-17. Total comprehensive income (TCI) for Q1-18 increased 42.3 per cent to Rs 108.4 million (14.5 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 76.2 million ((11.9 per cent of Total Income) in Q1-17.
MBL’s operating profit (EBIDTA inclusive of other income) in the current quarter increased 13.7 per cent to Rs 217.7 million (29 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 191.5 million (30 per cent of Total Income) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Profit after Tax or PAT in Q1-18 also increased 42.3 per cent to Rs 108.4 million (14.5 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 76.2 million (11.9 per cent of Total Income) in Q1-17.
Total Expenditure for Q1-18 increased 11.7 per cent to Rs 584 million (77.9 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 522.7 million (81.8 per cent of Total Income) in Q1-17. Other expense in Q1-18 increased 9.9 per cent to Rs 258.2 million (34.4 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 234.9 million (39.8 percent of Total Income) in the corresponding year ago qurter.
MBL paid 10.9 per cent more towards license fees for Q1-18 at Rs 51.9 million (6.9 per cent of Total Income) as compared to Rs 46.8 million (7 per cent of Total Income) in Q1-17. Finance Costs in the current quarter declined 5.6 per cent to Rs 38.6 million (5.1 percent of Total Income) from Rs 40.9 million (6.4 per cent of Total Income) in Q1-17. Employee Costs in the current quarter increased 10.4 per cent to Rs 171.3 million (22.8 per cent of Total Income) from Rs 155.2 million (24.3 per cent of Total Income) in the previous year.
The company added eleven new stations acquired during Phase III auctions. All the 11 stations were operational for the entire quarter with utilization levels in new stations of 25 to 35 per cent. MBL says that 5 out of the 11 new stations were running at more than 30 per cent utilisation levels.
Company speak
Commenting on the results MBL director Apurva Purohit, said, “We have been able to deliver margins of approximately 32 per cent and show growth of 16 per cent despite additional operating cost of the new stations. This is because of rate hike in the legacy stations as well as better than expected utilization in the new markets. Our strategy of profitable growth and not bidding high costs for acquisition in Phase III along with maintaining lowest cost per million is delivery results. Going ahead in the future I see better utilization in our new stations supported by increased
utilization and price hike in our legacy stations. We are confident on maintaining our current level of EBITDA margins
and achieve our long term goal of profitable leadership.”
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I&B Ministry
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
