ITV

Category: Cable TV

  • GTPL Hathway to maintain FY22 revenue and EBIDTA growth in FY23

    GTPL Hathway to maintain FY22 revenue and EBIDTA growth in FY23

    Mumbai: GTPL Hathway saw 12 per cent growth in revenues at Rs 24,154 million and four per cent increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to Rs 5,677 million year-on-year in FY22. The company expects to maintain this growth rate for the current financial year i.e., FY23.

    “The guidance is just that we are going to maintain our  compound annual growth rate (CAGR), 100 basis points here and there but we are going to maintain our CAGR in both revenue and EBITDA that’s the way as we look forward to our aggressive growth in both the businesses in this financial year,” said GTPL Hathway Ltd business head – CATV and chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj during an investor call held recently.

    GTPL Hathway closed the year 2021 becoming the largest multi-system operator in the country with its cable TV (CATV) subscriber base growing to 8.40 million as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) performance indicator report. “Our CATV subscriber base has grown sharply by 2.3 times in the last six years and for FY2022 it has grown by five per cent,” observed Pankaj.

    ALSO READ | GTPL Hathway closes FY22 as largest MSO; revenue at Rs 24,154 million

    The company lost 7.5 lakh commercial customers when Covid-19 pandemic started and has seen the return of four lakh customers since then. The rate of returning customers has slowed down from 20-25 lakh in the last quarter to 20K average during the fourth quarter FY22.

    The majority of the company’s cable TV subscriptions come from the Gujarat market which has 95 per cent share with the remaining five per cent spread across markets such as Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Patna and Varanasi.

    “Our CATV business expansion will gain momentum with organic and inorganic growth in the coming quarters,” said Pankaj. “After the new tariff order (NTO) , we said that growth will come from inorganic and organic. The first year of NTO has gone into stabilising the industry. Just as we were getting ready for acquisitions and going organic, Covid hit us in March 2020 and we were not able to do any inorganic growth. So, from this quarter onwards we have started both inorganic and organic growth.”

    The company’s capex for FY22 was Rs 363 crore which includes Rs 180 crore of CATV capex and Rs 183 crore of broadband capex. “Next year we are keeping the target of Rs 450 crore for the capex on which around Rs 180 crore is going to be cable capex and rest is going to be the broadband capex,” said Pankaj.

  • Hathway Cable and Datacom reports revenue of Rs 1,793 crore in FY22

    Hathway Cable and Datacom reports revenue of Rs 1,793 crore in FY22

    Mumbai: Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd reported gross revenue of Rs 1,793 crore in FY22 an increase of four per cent over FY21. Its broadband revenue stood at Rs 621.9 crore while CATV revenue stood at Rs 1171.1 crore for the financial year. The company reported profit after tax of Rs 130.4 crore a decline of 49 per cent year-on-year.

    “The business model for the company was protected in spite of Covid-19 led movement restrictions and disrupted supply chains,” said the statement.

    In its fourth quarter results, the company saw gross revenues of Rs 448.8 crore, an increase of two per cent year-on-year. Broadband revenue for the quarter stood at 157.1 crore and CATV revenue at Rs 291.7 crore. It saw profit after tax of Rs 28.4 crore in the quarter, a 16 per cent decline quarter-on-quarter.

    CATV business highlights

    The company reported 5.4 million set-top-box connections and more than 109 cities and major towns. “In the last two years, the company has created an extensive incremental infrastructure for market share gain. We have connected over 250 new locations with IP links,” said the statement. “Our product/go-to-market strategy/infrastructure ready for taking benefit of a more conducive market and business scenario with pandemic becoming more manageable. Set top box procurement and market share gain plans being rolled out.”  

    It further added, “The casting of OTT apps through already seeded new generation HD boxes is being piloted. This unique feature can give access to OTT to millions of Hathway Cable TV customers without any need to buy an additional OTT box. We have also piloted TV Plug. Using this Hathway can provide the most reliable last mile cable TV connectivity from a mobile tower network.

    Hathway Cable has also launched a digital platform to enhance the competencies of partner local cable operators in the cable TV business.

    ISP business highlights

    The company’s subscription revenue stood at Rs 157.1 crore with an increase of 32K customers in Q4 FY22 led by strong FTTH customer acquisition. FTTH consumers now account for 70 per cent of overall ISP consumers. “The company saw subdued revenue growth on account of higher speed and unlimited data limits now available at lower ARPU plans at industry level,” said the statement.

    The company reported 1.11 million broadband subscribers at the end of the fourth quarter FY22. 

  • Den Networks reports revenue of Rs 1,226 crore for FY’22

    Den Networks reports revenue of Rs 1,226 crore for FY’22

    Mumbai: Cable TV distribution company Den Networks has released its financial results for the fourth quarter 2022 on Thursday. The company reported revenues of Rs 303 crore and profit after tax of Rs 49 crore higher than Q3’22 which was at Rs 44 core.

    The company reported revenue of Rs 1,226 crore for FY’22 less than it earned in FY’21 at 1,307 crore. Its profit after tax for the year stood at Rs 171 crore and the total cost for the year stood at Rs 1,022 crore.

    The company reported gross debt and healthy cash balances of Rs 2,547 crore for the quarter. It earned Rs 167 crore from subscriptions, Rs 93 crore from marketing income, Rs 26 crore from other operating income, and Rs 17 crore in activation revenues.

    The company also reported total costs of Rs 248 crore including content costs at Rs 148 crore, personnel costs at Rs 21 core, other operational expenses at Rs 79 crore, and Rs one crore provision for doubtful debts and advances.

    Den Networks operates a cable and broadband business. Its cable operations cover over 500+ cities/towns across 13 key states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in India. Its broadband business is enabled across 41 cities/towns in the country.

  • GTPL Hathway closes FY22 as largest MSO; revenue at Rs 24,154 million

    GTPL Hathway closes FY22 as largest MSO; revenue at Rs 24,154 million

    Mumbai: GTPL Hathway witnessed revenue growth (excluding EPC) of 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY) at Rs 24,154 million. The profit after tax grew by six per cent YoY at Rs 2,006 million, according to the company’s financial results for the year FY22 shared on Friday. 

    It ended the year by adding 400K cable TV subscriptions and 181K broadband subscribers.

    The company’s digital cable TV revenue increased marginally by 0.4 per cent to Rs 10,753 million. Total paying subscribers as of 31 March stood at 7.80 million. GTPL Hathway expanded cable TV operations in five additional states in FY22. It also launched a new product ‘GTPL Genie’ which is an Android TV-based hybrid set-top-box with attractive subscription bundles.

    The company’s broadband revenue growth for FY22 was 46 per cent to reach Rs 4,075 million. Total broadband subscribers increased by 29 per cent to reach 816K out of which 360K are FTTX subscribers. In FY212, the company added 830K home-pass. Home-pass as of 31 March stood at 4.70 million.

    GTPL Hathway Limited reported fourth-quarter revenues of Rs 6,209 million and profit after tax of Rs 552 million. Broadband revenue stood at Rs 1,098 million and digital cable TV revenue at Rs 2,695 million. The average revenue per user (ARPU) for Q4 FY22 stood at Rs 450.

    “We are proud to announce another year of consistent performance across all business segments,” said GTPL Hathway managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja. “GTPL is now the largest MSO in the country, continues to be the largest MSO and broadband player in Gujarat, and has a significant presence in all other markets.”

    “We continued to deliver on our KPIs and grew by expanding in new geographies as well as penetrating deeper into existing markets. The key highlights of FY22 are stable subscription revenues, profitability and return ratios with a healthy balance sheet. The Company’s Board has recommended a dividend of Rs four per share for FY22,” he added.

    “The launch of GTPL Genie is a path-breaking initiative bringing subscriptions of bundled Live TV and OTT applications at competitive prices to our consumers. We are committed to delivering value to all our stakeholders with adept and prudent financial practices,” Jadeja further stated.

  • GTPL Hathway ropes in Verimatrix for secure Android TV rollout

    GTPL Hathway ropes in Verimatrix for secure Android TV rollout

    Mumbai: Digital cable TV and broadband service provider GTPL Hathway Ltd (GTPL) has announced its partnership with Verimatrix leveraging the latter’s Video Content Authority System (VCAS) to protect its Google Android TV-based DVB hybrid set top box.

    Verimatrix (Euronext Paris: VMX) helps power the modern connected world with people-centered security. Verimatrix VCAS is designed as a future-proof and scalable security solution for premium video content. Its DVB Hybrid offers GTPL a combination of protection and flexibility as delivery methods expand and evolve throughout India.

    “Verimatrix is a time-tested content security leader in the market that offers unprecedented ease of deployment and gives us the confidence that we will be ready to easily adapt as our offerings progress,” said GTPL Hathway MD Anirudhsinh Jadeja. “By selecting Verimatrix as our security provider, we gain much more than just studio compliant protection – GTPL gains enhanced workflow and integration options as well as the reliability that we’re ready to rapidly scale up new subscribers across our areas of operation, to any additional devices we choose later, with a single security platform.”

    “We are extremely pleased to announce GTPL Hathway as one of our latest customers,” stated Verimatrix COO and president Asaf Ashkenazi. “GTPL’s large customer base in India is provided a frictionless premium entertainment experience while their operators harness the full power of Verimatrix’s security innovations and award-winning customer support behind the scenes – ensuring GTPL is armed with the peace-of-mind it demands today and the performance and scalability it expects for tomorrow.”

  • NxtDigital board approves merger with Hinduja Leyland Finance

    NxtDigital board approves merger with Hinduja Leyland Finance

    Mumbai: At its meeting on Wednesday, the board of directors of NxtDigital Ltd (NDL) has accorded an in-principle approval for merger of Hinduja Leyland Finance Ltd (HLFL), a non-banking finance company into NDL, subject to all statutory or regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders.

    The proposed acquisition will result in the merged entity having assets aggregating above Rs 29,000 crore and the shareholders receiving shares pursuant to the share swap valuation. The company will appoint independent valuers to carry out the valuation exercise and submit the report including share exchange ratio.

    A subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, HLFL is one of India’s leading finance NBFCs with an AUM of over Rs 29,000 crore and a pan-India presence in 1,550 locations across 23 states and two union territories. Through a vast network of branches, the company finances a wide range of commercial and personal vehicles, from medium and heavy commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles and small commercial vehicles to cars, multi-utility vehicles, three wheelers, and two wheelers, as well as various kinds of used vehicles.

    Post the decision to transfer the digital, media and communications business undertaking to Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd, (which is subject to necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals), NDL has been evaluating various proposals in line with its objective of pursuing high growth oriented business opportunities that could bring in incremental value. In line with this commitment to create value for its shareholders, this merger will enable the shareholders of NDL to participate in and be a part of the aggressive growth plans of HLFL.

  • Hathway Digital onboards industry veteran Tavinderjit Panesar

    Hathway Digital onboards industry veteran Tavinderjit Panesar

    Mumbai: Industry veteran Tavinderjit Panesar has joined Hathway Digital as head of strategic initiative and broadcast partnerships. 

    In this role, he will be responsible for content buying and placement strategy, driving new strategic initiatives, managing operations in select markets, governance, and diligence.

    Panesar commands more than three decades of experience across diverse industries in areas such as management, strategic planning, marketing, distribution, business development, media and entertainment, and broadcasting.

    He was previously associated with Sundial Bizworkz as managing partner. His longest stint was with Star India for 17 years. He was in charge of distribution for DTH, cable, and commercial establishment verticals in the digital markets for Star India. 

    Panesar later joined Hathway Cable & Datacom in December 2014 and was elevated as director and CEO in November 2016. He was also president of DSports India between August 2017 and February 201. He started his career at JK Tyres and Apollo Tyres.

  • Nxtdigital board approves transfer of digital, media & communication biz to HGSL

    Nxtdigital board approves transfer of digital, media & communication biz to HGSL

    Mumbai: Nxtdigital (NDL) board of directors has approved the proposed scheme of arrangement between NDL and Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd (HGSL) and their respective shareholders for the demerger of the digital, media and communications business undertaking of NDL into HGSL on a going concern basis.

    The board also approved the share exchange ratio for the proposed transfer. The ratio was approved based on the comprehensive valuation exercise carried out and recommended by two independent valuers – KPMG Valuation Services LLP and SSPA & Co Chartered Accountants. As per the valuation, each shareholder of NDL holding 63 equity shares will receive 20 fully paid equity shares (post bonus) of the face value of Rs 10 per share of HGSL.  

    These new share allotments in HGSL will be over and above the existing shares of NDL held by the shareholders, thus retaining their existing shareholding in NDL.

    “The media and entertainment industry is going through a digital transformation on the back of emerging technologies,” said Nxtdigital managing director and CEO Vynsley Fernandes. “The proposed transfer, once completed, will fuel our expansion plans in the digital space, as we look to harness analytics and automation to grow our digital portfolio across video, broadband, OTT, WiFi and other services.”

    “NDL shall pursue other high growth-oriented business opportunities in a restructured manner including rebranding, renaming in consonance with potential M&A proposals,” said the statement.

    The proposed scheme is subject to all shareholder and regulatory approvals and the approval of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

  • NxtDigital revenue grows 12.8% to reach Rs 807.6 crore in 9MFY2022

    NxtDigital revenue grows 12.8% to reach Rs 807.6 crore in 9MFY2022

    Mumbai: Integrated digital platforms company NxtDigital, the media vertical of Hinduja Group announced its results for the nine month period ending 31 December 2021 and Q3 of FY22.

    The company’s consolidated revenue for the nine months grew by 12.84 per cent to Rs 807.6 crore, up from Rs 715.71 crore for the corresponding period of the previous year. During the same period, the Earnings Before Interest Depreciation and Taxes (EBIDTA) on a consolidated basis was Rs 155.8 crore as against an EBIDTA of Rs 149.81 crore during the corresponding period of the previous year, at a growth of 4.01 per cent.

    The company ended the third quarter with a 10.9 per cent year-on-year growth in EBIDTA at Rs 52.92 crore. It grew by 2.48 per cent over Q2 of this fiscal – after allowing for AGR payment of Rs three crore.

    The company said that its subscription revenues both for digital video and data businesses continued to be completely prepaid thereby generating healthy cash flows.

    NxtDigital also shared that it has paid its debt of Rs 260 crore in line with the objects of the “Rights Issue,” and completed land sale in January 2022 for a consideration of Rs 69.30 crore, reducing debt further by this amount. Debt-to-equity ratio now stands at 1.5, down from over four at the start of the fiscal. The board also reiterated in-principle approval for transfer of the media & entertainment business to Hinduja Global Solutions to fuel its next phase of growth; subject to regulatory and other approvals.

    Vision For NxtDigital

    The company also recorded progress on the acquisition of the digital and media businesses by Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd (HGSL) which is subject to all statutory or regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders. The move aims to fuel the expansion plans of NDL in the digital space, as it looks to grow its digital portfolio across video, broadband, OTT and WIFI services. The company said that it has also appointed independent valuers to carry out the valuation exercise and will submit a detailed report including the share exchange ratio once ready.

    Post the proposed acquisition, the company said it will review and assess proposals received, to define new business verticals for the future that will be moulded on the same lines, defining a robust roadmap for growth.

    Key Business Drivers For Growth In Q3

    The company said it took several digital initiatives to provide an end-to-end digital user experience for its customers – covering digital video, broadband and OTT services; the success of which is reflected in the growth of its subscriber base across its digital platforms.

    It continued to push its broadband penetration into new markets, expanding its subscriber base, and also launched the first “combo” product that offers offers up to 700 digital television channels + up to 300,000 hours of OTT content from leading international, national and regional OTT platforms + broadband, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps – all through a single product offering.

    NxtDigital CEO and MD Vynsley Fernandes said, “Our Q3 strategy hinged on leveraging our unique technology, national footprint and our digital product portfolio to adapt to changing customer preferences vis-à-vis consumption of digital services. Whether our broadband push, our roll-out of NXTHUBs nationally or the launch of the first ‘combo’ product covering digital TV, OTT and broadband – our focus was on giving our customers a unique digital user experience.”

    Growth Drivers In Q4

    For Q4, it said the focus will remain on not just rolling out more NXTHUBs but also increasing the product capability that could extend shortly to WiFi and other e-services. “Broadband will remain a key driver for growth, as it continued to proliferate into NxtDigital markets offering currently digital television only. The ‘combo’ product offering nationally and operationalisation of its infrastructure sharing platform further drive growth as the media group continues on its path of digital transformation,” it stated on Saturday.

  • Hathway partners with Haptik to elevate customer experience & scales support

    Hathway partners with Haptik to elevate customer experience & scales support

    Mumbai: Hathway has partnered with Jio Haptik Technologies to leverage its conversational AI technology to improve customer retention.

    The cable TV and broadband service provider has successfully launched ‘Diva’ – an intelligent virtual assistant, to give customer support to Hathway’s 11 million subscribers.

    The advent of Covid-19 accelerated the move to work from home subsequently causing a shift in customer expectations. More customers started raising queries, complaints and requests on Hathway’s digital platforms including its app, self-care and website. ‘Diva’ helped drive faster customers responses and substantially elevated customer service, said the statement.

    ‘Diva’ has successfully handled 2.7 million conversations so far and has improved first response time (FRT) and issue identification by 98.3 per cent. It has also improved first-time resolution for technical and billing issues collectively by 95 per cent, it added.

    “Haptik is a key partner for Hathway because they are driving real innovation in conversational AI,” said Hathway Cable and Datacom chief customer service officer Anil Jhamb. “Their AI platform is transforming the way we think about fostering meaningful digital interactions and customer engagement. With Haptik we were able to bring speed and efficiency to our customers, improve customer communication and deliver the state-of-the-art digital experiences that achieve impactful results.”

    “The past year saw brands across all industries leaning more heavily on AI, automation, and self-service to manage high volumes of customer support queries coming in,” said Haptik VP and GM, India and MEA Pratyush Kukreja. “Messaging also has evolved as the preferred way for customers to interact with brands because it is quick, convenient and feels more personalized. Working with Hathway gives us the opportunity to power millions of users with AI-driven connected experiences. Seeing Hathway’s success further fuels our goal to drive the world’s transition to AI-powered conversations.”