Cable TV
TN assembly okeys cable bill; to implement phase-wise
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly has approved the state government take over of the administration of cable television network (Including Multiple Service Optical Transport System) bill, 2006.
The proposed law on cable television networks envisages phase-wise acquisition of the operations of eight large Multi-System Operators (MSOs) including Sun Network’s Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV), and Hathway of the Rajan Raheja group.
The initial phase will cover cities Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli and Salem. According to chief minister Jayalalita, the implementation of the law will be done in phases to set right the deficiency and faults in the service offered by the cable TV networks.
Speaking at the assembly, the CM also said that the law was aimed at correcting the imbalances and deficiencies in service offered by the MSOs.
Also read:
Tamil Nadu moves to acquire Sumangali, Hathway in state
Tamil Nadu government move ‘politically motivated’
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.
