News Headline
Siti reports improved numbers for Q1
BENGALURU: Backed by higher subscription revenue and a 93 percent collection efficiency, Indian multi-systems operator (MSO) Siti Networks Limited (Siti) posted 146 percent higher operating profit (EBITDA) for the quarter ended 30 June 2018 (Q1 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year Q1 2018. The company says that collection efficiency in July 2018 has increased to 97 percent. For the immediate trailing quarter (Q4 2018), the MSO had reported a collection efficiency of 95 percent.
Siti’s operating profit (without considering activation charges) for Q1 2019 increased to Rs 54.9 crore as compared to Rs 22.3 crore in Q1 2018. The company attributes the growth in EBIDTA to a 26.3 percent surge in subscription revenue to Rs 214.9 crore in Q1 2019. EBITDA including activation declined 24.1 percent during the period under review to Rs 76.71 crore from Rs 101.01 crore in Q1 2019.
Total comprehensive loss (TCL) for the period was higher at Rs 56.96 crore as compared to Rs 15.19 crore in corresponding quarter of the previous year. However, on quarter on quarter basis Rs.70 Cr has gone down to Rs.57 Cr, an improvement of 18.8 per cent. It must be noted that all numbers mentioned in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.
Siti’s consolidated total income in Q1 2019 was Rs 352.45 crore as compared to Rs 371.11 crore in Q1 2018. Consolidated operating revenue in Q1 2019 was Rs 350.05 crore as compared to Rs 364.96 crore in Q1 2018.
The MSO says that it has added 3.5 lakh (0.35 million, 0.035 crore) digital subscribers in Q1 2019 and has reached a 117 lakh (11.7 million, 1.17 crore) active digital subscriber base. Siti had added 31 lakh (3.1 million, 0.31 crore) digital subscribers in fiscal 2018 (year ended 31 March 2018) It claims to have added 40,000 new HD subscribers to reach a HD subscriber base of 3.56 lakh (0.356 million, 0.0356 crore) during the period under review.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by Siti
Siti’s consolidated total expenditure (TE) increased 10 percent in Q1 2019 to Rs
406.72 crore from Rs 369.52 crore in Q1 2018. Carriage sharing, pay channels and related costs in Q1 2019 increased 5.4 percent to Rs 164.46 crore from Rs 156.06 crore in Q1 2018. Employee benefit expense during the quarter under review reduced 12.9 percent to Rs 20.41 crore from Rs 23.45 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Other expense in Q1 2019 increased 3.5 percent to Rs 87.10 crore from Rs 84.18 crore in Q1 2018.
Company speak
Siti chief business transformation officer Rajesh Sethi said, “Siti had a great start to FY 2019 with strong improvement in all operational metrics. Our ‘Customer First’ strategy helped drive superlative 146 percent EBITDA growth coupled with expansion of 892 bps in the margins. While we increased our subscription revenue by nearly 26 percent year on year, we have further initiated an ARPU increase program and the results will be visible in the coming quarters. With the New Tariff Order Notification, we are well positioned to move to the new regime. Our systems and processes are ready for the seismic transformations of the last mile operations. In FY 2019 we plan to drive efficiencies along with solid EBITDA and margins growth, in line with our core strategy of profitable and sustainable growth.”
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.
