DTH
UK leads the way in digital TV conversion in Europe
MUMBAI: The UK is leading the race to switch-off its analogue TV signal. As European regulators consider imposing a universal switch-off date, new research from Informa Telecoms & Media shows that by the end of 2005 digital TV penetration in the UK will have increased to 66 per cent.
This compares with 58 per cent at the end of 2004, according to Informa’s TV International Database. It forecasts that the number of digital homes in the UK will end this year at 16.4 million, up from 14.4 million at the end of 2004. The UK has a provisional target date of 2012 for full analogue switch-off, beginning with the Border region in 2008.
Sweden, which is expected to end 2005 with a digital TV penetration rate of almost 44 per cent is committed to make the switchover to digital in 2008. Ireland Norway and Finland are the only other countries which will have an end-2005 digital TV penetration rate above 30 per cent at the end of 2005. All these countries are looking to make the digital switchover before the end of 2010.
AHowever, plans for an early analogue switch-off for some European territories remain ambitious. France, which has a provisional date of 2010 will end 2005 with a digital TV penetration at slightly more than one quarter of its households. Italy, which has one of the region’s most ambitious switchover timetables will end 2005 with a penetration rate below 20%.
According to TVI Database senior analyst Simon Dyson, “The prospects of an early switch-off of analogue signals in some European countries looks unlikely, given the slower than expected rate of shift to digital. Even the UK, which has Europe’s highest digital penetration rate, could have some problems with resistance from later adopters.”
However, despite a possible time lag in full conversion, digital TV has enjoyed a growing acceptance. The total number of digital homes in Europe reached 37 million at the end of 2004, equivalent to slightly less than 16 per cent of the region’s TV households. This figure is forecast to increase to 44.1 million by the end of 2005, or 19 per cent of TV households.
DTH
Den Networks reports Rs 1,227 million FY26 profit growth
Revenue crosses Rs 10,009 million as margins improve and costs ease
MUMBAI: Not all signals are on screen some are buried in the balance sheet. Den Networks has reported a steady financial performance for FY26, with profit after tax rising to Rs 1,227.53 million, reflecting improved operational discipline despite a relatively flat top line. For the year ended March 31, 2026, the company posted revenue from operations of Rs 10,009.17 million, marginally higher than Rs 9,891.45 million in FY25. Total income stood almost unchanged at Rs 12,282.10 million compared to Rs 12,279.77 million a year earlier, signalling stability rather than aggressive expansion.
The real story, however, lies beneath the surface. Total expenses declined to Rs 10,648.32 million from Rs 10,691.30 million, driven by tighter cost controls across key heads. Employee benefit expenses dropped to Rs 548.64 million from Rs 651.52 million, while depreciation and amortisation expenses also eased to Rs 652.01 million from Rs 723.06 million, indicating a leaner operational structure.
As a result, profit before tax rose to Rs 1,633.78 million from Rs 1,588.47 million, while profit after tax improved to Rs 1,227.53 million, up from Rs 1,173.96 million in the previous year. Earnings per share stood at Rs 2.57, compared to Rs 2.46 in FY25, underlining incremental shareholder value creation.
On the balance sheet front, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 43,416.76 million from Rs 42,496.64 million, supported by a sharp rise in bank balances to Rs 30,628.71 million. Equity also strengthened to Rs 38,532.74 million, reflecting accumulated profits and a growing financial cushion.
Cash flow dynamics, however, present a more nuanced picture. While investing activities generated a net inflow of Rs 632.80 million, operating activities saw an outflow of Rs 553.50 million, largely due to tax payments and working capital adjustments. The company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of Rs 151.70 million, up from Rs 106.11 million.
Taken together, the numbers suggest a business that is prioritising efficiency over expansion holding revenue steady while tightening costs and strengthening its balance sheet. In an industry where growth often grabs headlines, Den Networks appears to be making a quieter statement: sometimes, resilience is the real signal.
