Cable TV
SPN’s distribution team brings cheer to Maharashtra LCOs through ‘Nukkad LIVE’
KOLKATA: The Covid2019 pandemic has had a seismic effect not only on the way businesses run but also on several other aspects of people's lives. The cable industry, the unsaid essential service, has played a major role in the current environment keeping people entertained and informed. While a majority of the population was under a shelter-at-home directive, last mile operators kept working on-ground risking their lives to provide seamless services to their subscribers. SPN was the first network to salute these unsung heroes through its ‘Happy Hero’ campaign. Taking the relationship with the operators forward and to bring some cheer , excitement to the last mile operators, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) undertook a novel initiative of virtual event, ‘Nukkad LIVE.’
Through ‘Nukkad LIVE’ last mile operators, more commonly known as LCOs, get to enjoy specially curated acts as well as interact with the artists & key protagonists of various SPN channel shows.
"The new normal in our day to day to work life has shifted to the digital interface. We have always believed in staying connected with our trade partners & we enjoy excellent partnerships with MSOs across the country. The ‘Nukkad LIVE’ initiative is really about going a step further & creating opportunities for interaction for SPN’s well known show artists with the last mile, namely the LCOs. They are really the unsung heroes who are risking their lives every day to keep the pipeline of entertainment flowing and alive. After seeing the huge success of ‘Nukkad LIVE’ in Maharashtra with the likes of DEN and GTPL, we will soon be extending this format to the Hindi GEC & sports genres,” said Sony Pictures Networks (distribution business) EVP Sales and Marketing, Makarand Palekar.
SPN has initiated the first leg of this digital collaboration in the Maharashtra market bringing actors from Sony Marathi and leading operators from the state together. Samir Choughale, Vishakha Subhedar and Vanita Kharat, all well-known names from the Marathi entertainment industry, are part of this campaign to meet operators on the ‘Nukkad LIVE’ platform.
While Kharat holds the meet-up together by anchoring it, Choughale is interviewing Subhedar and the latter gets humorously offended. The fun banter ends with the stars thanking the operators for their relentless support and service to keep the show on during the lockdown period as operators made sure all the viewers got uninterrupted signals for their daily dose of entertainment. The 40-minute meet ended with both the actors interacting with the trade fraternity by answering their questions.
Although both broadcasters and distributors are dependent on each other to run their businesses, during this crisis period, such collaborations can help to keep the touch points on both sides alive and lighten the burden of social distancing, on everyone.
What do the partners think?
“Good initiative by the Sony Marathi & distribution team to connect & engage our business partners using the virtual platform. Spreading a smile is very important in the present situation where people are facing a lot of hardship. All the best to the Sony team,” GTPL Hathway Ltd promoter and managing director Aniruddhsinh Jadeja said.
“This unique initiative by Sony team to bring the last mile operators together, added a new dimension to strengthen relationship between broadcaster, MSO & LCO. It helps the industry to work towards a common goal of inclusiveness by involving the last mile which further encourages them to provide better services,” DEN Satellite director Rajeev Gavi shared.
“Brilliant programme! The execution of the event was seamless despite the dependency on technology. Inviting the LCOs to this event and mentioning the special relationship that Den Satellite and Sony shares further strengthens the bond between stakeholders. Artists were really entertaining and it was thoroughly enjoyed by our partners,” DEN Satellite director Ravishankar Singh said.
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.
