Cable TV
US cable companies relieved from sharing broadband lines
MUMBAI: In a far-reaching judgment, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Cable companies that offer broadband Internet access do not have to open their high-speed lines to competitors.
“Cable companies are under no legal obligation to share their lines with smaller Internet service providers, dealing a major blow to independent ISPs, extending the power of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and opening up the possibility of extensive deregulation in the telecommunications world,” the landmark ruling said.
The judgment in the “Brand X” case upholds a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling that said cable companies were exempt from the same regulations requiring phone companies to offer independent providers access to phone-company lines. The issue reached the Supreme Court as Brand X Internet, an ISP, challenged the FCC’s cable modem rules.
Speaking on the aftereffects of the ruling, the Camcast scenario looks interesting. Comcast allows internet service provider EarthLink to use its lines in the Seattle area, a partnership that began in 2002. According to reports, Comcast spokesman Steve Kipp refused to comment on whether the relationship would be affected by the Supreme Court ruling.
As expected, US cable companies have hailed the ruling while consumer advocates and small Internet service providers have warned that the deregulation wave would lead to a broadband duopoly that could limit Internet options.
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.
