Cable TV
Video and Broadband Summit 2021: The 5G genie & the future of legacy distribution systems
NEW DELHI: The video ecosystem has never had it better. Consumption, which skyrocketed during the early days of the Covid2019 pandemic, has found its level and that is much higher than it's ever been before. Cable TV, DTH, FTA, streaming services, wireless broadband and wired fixed broadband have all seen unimaginable uptake as digitisation has been accelerated with viewers and consumers being asked to be homebound for their safety.
But in this period key questions have arisen: What is the future for legacy distribution systems for TV like cable TV, DTH, and FTA? With 5G knocking on our doors, will the traditional modes of delivery have the same relevance? How to capitalise on the booming user generated content space? These are some of the themes which will be discussed at the Video and Broadband Summit 2021.
Running in its seventeenth year, the summit is going virtual this time and will bring together stalwarts from television, broadcasting, internet and distribution sectors to take a deep dive into the dynamic trends and vital issues prevalent in the sector at present.
Over the last one-and-a-half-decades, VBS (earlier IDOS) has grown to become India’s definitive pat-TV and video distribution get together. However, this year’s summit is critical given that 2020 has witnessed some of the most fundamental changes in the industry – from the NTO 2.0 directive, a resurgent FTA segment, to the rise and rise of the over-the-top platforms.
Key sessions in the summit will be:
· 2:30 – 2:40 pm: Introduction
· 2:40- 2:50 pm: Welcome Note by Anil Wanvari, founder, CEO & editor-in-chief of Indiantelevision.com
· 2:50 – 03:50 pm: The leaders peak laying out a profitable future
· 3:50 – 04:35 pm: Future proofing DPOs on video delivery solutions
· 4:35 – 4:55 pm: Virtual fireside chat with Anuj Jain, president – Jio Fiber
· 4:55 – 05:45 pm: Customer First!
· 05:45 – 05:50 pm: Closing Remarks
To discuss all these relevant subjects, the summit has also lined up a distinguished panel of speakers. Among them are:
· Amit Arora, President – Indiacast Media Distribution
· Anuj Jain, President – Jio Fiber
· Anil Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer- SITI Networks Pvt Ltd
· Anil Wanwari, Founder, CEO & Editor-in-chief- IndianTelevision.com
· Anurag Nigam, DGM Strategy- SITI Networks Pvt Ltd
· Gurjeev Singh Kapoor, President TV Distribution -India & International – Star and Disney India
· MN Vyas, Founder Director- Planetcast Media Services
· Prem Ojha, Group Chief Executive Officer- Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltd & Netplus Broadband
· Prashant Chothani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer -Travelxp 4K
· Raman Kalra, Partner- PwC India
· RU Ediriwira, Group Chief Technology Officer- NXTDigital
· Salil Thomas, Vice President & Head Technology- Asianet Satellite Communications Ltd
· Sandeep Gupta, COO – Broadcasting Business-Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd.
· Vynsley Fernandes, Media Group Chief Executive Officer, NXTDIGITAL Limited
· Xavier Leclercq, Vice President Business Development- Broadpeak
· Yatin Gupta, Senior Vice President – GTPL Hathway Ltd.
Come join us for stimulating conversations, incisive insights and deliberations on the future roadmap of the industry at the Video and Broadband Summit 2021 on 5 March at 2:30 pm. Register now at https://www.indiantelevision.com/micro/vbsnew/index.html#
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.
