GECs
Sun TV’s sparkle dims: Profit slips, revenues wobble IN FY25
MUMBAI: It was less sizzle and more fizzle for Sun TV network in FY25, as the broadcaster reported a dip in both revenues and bottom line, despite pulling in the crowds via its cricket franchises and digital platform Sun Nxt.
The media powerhouse, led by managing director Mahesh Kumar Rajaraman, posted a standalone profit after tax of Rs 1,654.46 crore for the year ended 31 March 2025 – a near 12 per cent drop from last year’s Rs 1,875.15 crore. Revenue from operations came in at Rs 3,878.86 crore, down 6.5 per cent year-on-year, suggesting the sun isn’t quite blazing like it used to.
Even its consolidated figures couldn’t bowl over investors. Group revenues dropped to Rs 4,015.09 crore from Rs 4,282.10 crore a year earlier, with consolidated EBITDA slipping to Rs 2,132.75 crore from Rs 2,638.11 crore – a 19 per cent hit.
The company’s love affair with cricket, however, continued unabated. Its IPL baby Sunrisers Hyderabad and the CSA’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape contributed Rs 641.96 crore in revenue – a respectable innings – but expenses from the franchises ate up over half of that at Rs 351.04 crore. The broadcast business remains the real spinner in Sun TV’s line-up.
On the quarterly scorecard, Q4 FY25 total income rose 7.4 per cent to Rs 1,135.86 crore, but that wasn’t enough to boost profits. PAT stood at Rs 362.18 crore, down from Rs 398.77 crore in the same period last year.
One curveball in the results: an exceptional loss of Rs 73.52 crore on account of impairment in a joint venture – a cautionary tale on where not to bet.
Meanwhile, the board kept investors sweet with four interim dividends through the year totalling Rs 15 per share (300 per cent). Yet, shareholders may be wondering whether that’s lipstick on a slightly fading star.
Sun TV still boasts hefty reserves of Rs 11,450 crore, but the real question for FY26 is whether the network can reignite its programming mojo and OTT play to counter headwinds in the traditional TV and sports biz.
With GenAI reshaping content creation and younger audiences tuning out, Sun TV will need more than prime time reruns and T20 thrills to keep shining.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
