News Broadcasting
Zee Telefilms Ltd Q1 revenues up 10.8%
NEW DELHI: Zee Telefilms Limited today reported first quarter consolidated revenues of Rs 3207 million, a 10.8 per cent growth over the corresponding period in the previous fiscal.
The consolidated operating profit has increased by 17.1 per cent to Rs 1055 million over the same period last year. The growth was driven by higher pay revenues, and a healthy recovery in advertising revenues from the corresponding quarter last year.
Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra said, “Zee finished the first quarter with a good performance, highlighted by 17.6 per cent growth in net profit. Our results were lead by strong performance in both subscription and advertising. The advertising revenues grew well despite the India-Pakistan cricket, which lasted right through April, dragging some advertising spends into the sports genre.”
Operating profit growth was supported by efficient cost control measures. Profit before tax for the first quarter of the fiscal 2005 was Rs 1046 million, an increase of 24.4 per cent as compared to the corresponding quarter last year, while net profit at Rs 733 million was higher by 17.6 per cent. These numbers are after consolidating the financials of ETC Networks Limited and Padmalaya Telefilms Limited for the first quarter of FY2005.
The board of directors in its meeting held today, has taken on record the unaudited consolidated financial results of Zee Telefilms Limited and its subsidiaries for the quarter ended 30 June 2004, and recommended payment of dividend of Re 1 per share of Re 1 each for the year ended 31 March 2004.
As part of expansion plans, the company has said that there are some new channels for the Indian market are in the pipeline. This includes augmenting presence in the regional market under the Alpha brand (a Telugu channel has been talked about for a launch later this year). Plans are also afoot for launching a business new channel in the Hindi language (already soft-launched on the DTH platform).
The company also said that ASC Enterprises Ltd, also controlled by Chandra, will commence its full DTH services during the second quarter.
Commenting on the financials, Chandra further said, “We have maintained momentum in our subscription revenues with continued double-digit growth, buoyed by 23.0 per cent growth in domestic pay revenues.”
He added, “We are also excited about our new investments supporting the DTH business. During the second quarter, benefit would begin from the launch of full service package on Dish TV, India’s first DTH network, which has already grown to 130,000 subscribers. Our strong assets combined with exciting growth opportunities puts us in a good position to create long term shareholder value.”
REVENUE STREAMS: Zee’s revenues are generated primarily from advertising sales and subscription revenues. Other sales and services include revenues from film production and distribution, syndication and education sales. Zee’s advertising revenues increased by 8.7 per cent as compared to the corresponding quarter last fiscal. This was the result of a visible recovery in advertising revenue market and strong advertising growth at Zee News due to the general elections which contributed to this performance and helped offset the
opposing effects of advertising spend on cricket during April, the company said.
Overall subscription revenues, registered an increase of 12 per cent over the first quarter of the corresponding period last fiscal. Domestic pay revenues also continued on a growth path with 23.0 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year, despite a price freeze imposed on pay channels by sector regulator.
Other sales and services, which include the performance of Padmalaya Telefilms Limited, recorded an increase of 14.6 per cent.
EXPENDITURE: Zee’s main expenses include transmission and programming cost, employee cost and administrative and selling cost. Overall, the primary reason for the 5.2 per cent increase in programming and transmission cost is due to higher programming cost compared to the corresponding period last year.
Personnel cost were higher than corresponding period last year. Other costs, including marketing and administrative costs have grown 10.9 per cent because of higher promotional and marketing costs during the quarter, the company said. As a result, total expenses were up 8 per cent.
Operating profit has grown by 17.1 per cent to Rs 1055 million, while operating profit margin was at 32.9 per cent, as compared to 31.2 per cent achieved during the corresponding quarter last year.
During the last two quarters, Zee has repaid Rs 3.5 billion from its gross debt and has raised $100 million from Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB) at YTM of 3.5 per cent. As the company is making fresh investments in the distribution business, surplus cash reserves have come down resulting in a drop in interest income by 16.9 per cent to Rs 159 million.
Profit before tax has grown by 24.4 per cent to Rs 1046 million. With shifting of Zee TV and Zee Cinema channels to India, the income of these channels are being recorded under Zee Telefilms Limited and are subject to the marginal tax rate. As a result, effective tax rate has gone up during the quarter to 30 per cent.
Meanwhile, the company had obtained shareholders’ approval to adjust investments amounting to Rs 19,207 million against securities premium account in the EGM held on 25 March, 2004. During the quarter, the company received approval from the Mumbai high court for the same.
Accordingly, this has been given effect in the accounts as on 31 March 2004. The first phase of international restructuring aimed at consolidating non-Indian operations into a single subsidiary has been completed. This measure would rationalise taxation on the international subsidiaries.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Consolidated operating profit increased 17.1 per cent to Rs 1055 million during Q1 2004
* Advertisement revenue at Rs 1318 million up by 8.7 per cent
* Subscription revenue at Rs 1599 million up by 12 per cent
* Domestic subscription revenue at Rs 630 million signified an increase of 23 per cent
* Capital restructuring for greater efficiencies
* FCCB of $100 million at YTM of 3.5 per cent raised
* Dividend of Re 1 per share of Re 1 each for the year ended 31 March 2004.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
