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Viacom reports record revenue of $6.60 billion
NEW YORK: Things are looking up for media conglomerate Viacom. The MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures owner has announced record results for the third quarter ended 30 September.
For the quarter just ended, Viacom revenues increased by five per cent and touched a record $6.60 billion. For the corresponding quarter last year, the figure stood at $6.31 billion. The company has stated that there was growth in nearly every business segment. Contributing to the results was overall ad revenue growth of eight per cent to $2.88 billion. The operating income of $1.38 billion was led by gains of 20 per cent in cable networks, 19 per cent in television and 25 per cent in video.
Cable networks revenues increased 18 per cent to $1.47 billion from $1.24 billion, led by a 25 per cent increase in ad revenues. The increase in advertising revenues was driven by 26 per cent growth at MTV Networks and 24 per cent growth at BET. Comedy Central, acquired in May, contributed 11 per cent of cable networks’ advertising revenue growth for the quartee.
Viacom CEO Sumner M. Redstone made the following remarks, “Viacom….continued to deliver value to shareholders by using our strong free cash flow to purchase our stock and to declare a quarterly dividend. Looking ahead, we remain confident that 2004 will be the best year in Viacom’s history. It will be led by expectations of a continued economic resurgence, a return to the historic mix of growth in advertising markets and the favourable impact of unique programming and political events during the coming year.”
Meanwhile, for the nine months ended 30 September, revenues increased by seven per cent to $19.07 billion from $17.83 billion in the same period last year. Looking ahead to 2004, the company expects to deliver revenue growth of five to seven per cent. This will result in operating income growth in the region of 12 to 14 per cent.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
