News Headline
SITI Networks’ subscription revenue surges 36% y-o-y, ARPU grows 2x
MUMBAI: SITI Networks Limited, an Essel Group company, on Monday released its consolidated audited financial results for Q1 FY20.
Continuing with the strong performance from last fiscal, SITI reported growth in its Operating EBITDA by 1.5x to Rs.841 Mn in Q1 FY20. Capitalising on the growth opportunity provided by New Tariff Order, SITI has delivered by growing the revenue at a phenomenal rate while maintaining the strict control over the operational efficiencies. This manifested itself in Operating EBITDA Margin expanding significantly by 471 bps y-o-y to 21.4%
Subscription revenue increased by more than 36% y-o-y to Rs. 2,932 Mn in Q1 FY20, aided by improving monetization and upselling better value offerings to customers. Total Revenue (excluding activation) also surged ~20% y-o-y to Rs. 3925 Mn.
To better serve the subscribers under the new regime, SITI has created multiple offerings for the consumers which cater to multiple demographics and geographies.
As a result of these customer-oriented offerings more than 57% of the base opted for these curated MY SITI plans as it gives them the best of content and economic value with minimal effort which has resulted in Digital Subscriber ARPU leaping 2x y-o-y & 1.5x over the previous quarter to Rs.125. This transition has resulted in the choice belonging to the consumer now.
While commenting on the results, Rajesh Sethi of SITI Networks mentioned:
“SITI has successfully started to incorporate the New Tariff Order to the very roots of our business and this is validated by the stellar results displayed in the first quarter of current fiscal. Our subscription revenue grew over 36% y-o-y with total revenue (excl. activation) increasing by more than 19% y-o-y. With the increase in collection & operational efficiencies we saw our Operating EBIDTA grow 1.5x y-o-y to INR 841 Mn and the EBIDTA margins subsequently rose 1.3x y-o-y to 21.4%. Our product strategy to provide the optimal entertainment choices to our subscribers is bearing fruit as the ARPU has grown 2x y-o-y and we are sure that this growth momentum will only grow stronger.”
Awards
Hamdard honours changemakers at Abdul Hameed awards
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.








