Cable TV
Two more DAS cases put off to Oct. in Delhi HC
NEW DELHI: Two more cases related to Phase III of digital addressable systems (DAS) – filed by Om Systems of Mumbai and Digiana – have been moved to be heard on 5 October 2016 by the Delhi High Court.
Justice Sanjeev Sanchdeva was scheduled to hear these matters on Tuesday but, as
13 September was a holiday, the two cases were put off to next month and will be heard with other cases slated for that day next month.
Earlier, on 7 September 2016, the first batch of a large number of cases related to DAS had been put off to 5 October 2016 as the single bench did not assemble after lunch.
As a result, the application by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) for being impleaded in the case also did not come up for hearing.
The cases that were listed on 7 September included those filed by Rohtak Cable Operators’ Association, Andhra Pradesh MSOs Welfare Federation, Multi System Operators’ Welfare Association, Sai Big Star Welfare Association, Sree Devi Digital Systems, Federation of Telangana MSO, DEN Manoranjan Satellite, Victory Digital, Sri Chowdeshwary Cable Network, Shyam Baba Cable Network, Panchajanya Media, Bharat Digital Cable Network and Yogesh Cable Networks.
On 8 September, a notice was issued to the Union of India (Ministry of
Information) on five petitions relating to the stay orders on Phase III of DAS that came before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Ms Sangita Dhingra Sehgal who adjourned the matters to 26 September 2016.
These related to Radiant Digitek Networks Pvt Ltd, Rajasthan Cable Operators Foundation, Nasik Zilla Cable Operator Association, Indusind Media and Communication Ltd, and Bhima Riddhi Digital Services. While the first two are against Union of India, the other three are against the State of Maharashtra.
The Supreme Court had, on 1 April, 2016, accepted the plea of the Central Government that “it would be just and proper for this Court to withdraw all those cases pending in different High Courts and transfer the same to Delhi High Court.”
A total of 62 cases had been filed by multi-system operators (MSOs) in various courts in the country for extension in the deadline of Phase lll that was supposed to have ended on 31 December 2015. Out of these 62 cases, 12 cases had been disposed off by respective courts and three cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.
Notice issued to Union of India on five DAS Phase III petitions
Hearing of DAS cases in Delhi HC put off to Oct
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.
