Cable TV
Star switches off signals to Asianet Satellite
MUMBAI: Star India has discontinued services of its bouquet of channels to Asianet Satellite Communications, the largest cable TV network in Kerala.
The signals were switched off on 7 May due to non payment of dues. “We gave them a month’s notice as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requirement,” says a Star India spokesperson.
Star had earlier moved the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against Asianet. The case is posted for further hearing on 16 May. The multi system operator (MSO) in Kerala has already paid Star Rs 60 million after the TDSAT directive to pay up at Rs 50 lakh a month.
“The TDSAT asked us to pay Rs 50 lakh a month. We have paid Rs 60 million on 22 April as per the directive of the Tdsat. The case is set for further hearing on 16 May,” says Asianet chief executive officer Mahesh Kumar.
Star admits it has received payment from Asianet, but says there is still an outstanding amount which is yet to be cleared. “Asianet has not paid us the full amount. So we decided to switch off signals,” says the Star spokesperson.
Star and Asianet have been engaged in conflict over the outstandings for the last six months. “The TDSAT has not been functioning after chairperson Justice DP Wadhava completed his term on 4 May. We are waiting for the final verdict,” says Kumar.
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.
