Cable TV
UCN to offer Dolby Digital Plus on its HD STBs
MUMBAI: Dolby Laboratories has announced that UCN, one of Maharashtra’s leading multi-system operators (MSOs), has selected Dolby Digital Plus as the audio codec for its HD set-top boxes. With Dolby Digital Plus, UCN HD subscribers will experience the capability of up to 7.1 channels of surround sound, designed to transform the way people experience their favorite sports, movies, and television programs.
“With the onset of the digitization in India, the broadcast industry is evolving with a promise to deliver enhanced quality services to the end consumer. This association with Dolby is an excellent opportunity for us to combine a great HD picture with superior Dolby surround sound. We have always aimed to deliver the best cinematic entertainment experiences for our subscribers,” said UCN director Ajay Khamankar.
With UCN’s HD set-top boxes featuring Dolby Digital Plus, consumers will be able to enjoy Dolby surround sound by connecting their home theater to their HD set-top box and the HDTV, giving them the best TV viewing experience at home. UCN will offer a complete entertainment experience across a bouquet of channels including the Star HD network, Colors HD, Movies Now HD, Discovery HD, NGC HD, and many more.
“Our collaboration with UCN marks an important milestone in the adoption of Dolby Digital Plus in India’s Cable TV services, which is undergoing a massive transformation with the ongoing digitization. At Dolby, we strive to bring to life superior entertainment experiences for audiences using innovative technology. With Dolby Digital Plus, UCN will bring an exceptional entertainment experience to their consumers —from sports, drama, reality TV, and movies—right into their living rooms,” said Dolby Laboratories India country manager Pankaj Kedia.
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.
