ITV

Category: Financials

  • TV18 profits decline in third quarter

    TV18 profits decline in third quarter

    BENGALURU: TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18), the subsidiary of the Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani-controlled Network18 Media and Investments Ltd (Network 18), reported consolidated total income of Rs 10 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3-18) as compared with income of Rs 23.6 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter. For the immediate trailing quarter Q2-18 (quarter-on-quarter), income stood at Rs 11.83 crore.

    Consolidated profit after tax for the quarter under review was 8.1 percent lower year-on-year at Rs 15.87 crore as compared with Rs 17.27 crore but more than double (2.16 times) the Rs 7.3 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s consolidated simple EBIDTA (excluding GST and other income) was 2.1 percent lower y-o-y at Rs 38.65 crore (13.9 percent margin) as compared with Rs 39.49 crore (15.5 percent margin) and more than five times the Rs 7.6 crore in Q2-18.

    Consolidated total income in Q3-18 increased by 8.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 277 crore from Rs 254 crore and was 18 percent higher y-o-y than Rs 235 crore in Q2-18.

    Consolidated total expenditure rose by 9.4 percent y-o-y in Q3-18 to Rs 261 crore from Rs 269 crore and was 5.4 percent higher q-o-q as against Rs 247 crore.

    The company has two segments–media operations and film production and distribution (films). The lion’s share of the revenue was from the company’s media operations.

    Both segments reported operating profits for Q3-18 – of Rs 47 crore (media operations) and Rs 88 Lakh (film production and distribution). Media operations had operating profit of Rs 42 crore while film production and distribution incurred operating loss of Rs 5.3 crore in Q3-17. In the immediate trailing quarter, both segments had reported operating profit of Rs 47 crore and Rs 5.7 crore, respectively.

    The company’s marketing, distribution and promotional expense during the quarter under review rose by 14.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 44 crore from Rs 38 crore but was 3.8 percent lower q-o-q. The employee benefit expense in Q3-18 swelled by 12.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 93 crore from Rs 82 crore but declined by 5.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 98 crore.

    Other expenses during the quarter under review increased by 7.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 101 crore in Q3-18 from Rs 94.4 crore and was 22.2 percent q-o-q more than Rs 83 crore.

  • Eros reports higher profit margin despite fewer releases

    Eros reports higher profit margin despite fewer releases

    BENGALURU: Sunil Lulla-led Eros International Media Limited (Eros) reported 21 per cent margin (on operating income) for consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2 FY 2017-18) as compared with 12.8 per cent margin for the corresponding quarter a last ago. The company’s revenue shrunk by 44 per cent during the quarter under review as against Q2 FY 2016-17. Eros released just seven films (two medium and five small-budget films) in Q2 FY 2017-18 as compared with 17 (including two high-budget films) in the quarter ago quarter. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margin on total income for the quarter under review was 31.7 per cent as compared with 19.9 per cent in Q2 FY 2016-17. Though the profit margin was higher in this year’s quarter, overall actual profit was lower than the profit reported for Q2 FY 2016-17 because revenue during the period last year was much higher.

    Company speak

    Eros vice chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla said, “We have reported healthy performance during the quarter on the back of strong releases, satellite sales, and higher contribution from library monetisation. During Q2-18, we released films such as the hit comedy Shubh Mangal Savdhan, the much-celebrated Newton starring Rajkumar Rao, the Tiger Shroff‐starrerMunna Michael, Trinity’s first release Sniff, and Projapati Biskut(Bengali).”

    “It is a matter of pride for us thatNewton was chosen as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars 2018. This underscores our strategy of focussing on content-driven films rather than high-budget, big-star formula films. During the period, the company also continued to focus towards investing in a Hindi and regional film language slate and Trinity Pictures, India’s first franchise‐driven studio,” revealed Lulla.

    “Looking forward, we have a host of highly anticipated releases coming up, which include Mukkabaaz in January,Happy Bhaag Jayegi Returns,Chandamama Door Ke, the India‐China co‐productions, Panda by Kabir Khan, Trinity Pictures’ Elephant Man by national-award-winning director Prabhu Solomon, and the Colour Yellow Productions film starring Shah Rukh Khan,” he said.

    The reported numbers

    Eros reported operating revenue of Rs 2,682.6 million for Q2 FY 2017-18 as compared with Rs 4,787.9 million in Q2 FY 2016-17. Total income, including other income, for the quarter under review declined by 44 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2,739.3 million from Rs 4,887.3 million. The company has given the breakup of revenue in its investor presentation for the quarter as follows: 36.7 per cent for theatrical; 13.3 per cent for overseas revenue; and 50. Per cent for television & others.

    Profit after tax in Q2 FY 2017-18 declined by 8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 575.1 million from Rs 625.2 million. EBIT was 10.7 per cent lower y-o-y in the quarter under review at Rs 867.5 million as compared with Rs 971.5 million. Operating profit (EBIDTA) for the quarter declined by 6.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 835.2 million (31.1 per cent margin) from Rs 892.2 million (18.6 per cent margin).

    Total expenditure declined by 48.2 per cent y-o-y to Rs 2,085.4 million during the quarter from Rs 4,022.4 million. Film rights costs, including amortisation costs, are a major cost head for Eros. These costs declined to less than half y-o-y to Rs 1,189.5 million in Q2 FY 2017-18 from Rs 2,762.9 million Q2 FY 2016-17.

    Employee benefits expense declined by 9.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 150.4 million from Rs 166.0 million. Finance costs doubled to 100.4 per cent in the quarter under review to Rs 213.6 million from Rs 106.6 million. Other expenses decreased 21.9 per cent y-o-y in Q2 FY 2017-18 to Rs 507.1 million from Rs 649.7 million.

     

  • NDTV Digital narrows NDTV loss in second quarter

    NDTV Digital narrows NDTV loss in second quarter

    BENGALURU: Operating profit at NDTV Digital has enabled New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) to narrow consolidated operating loss (EBIDTA) to Rs 137.7 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2 FY 2017-18). An NDTV earnings release mentions a rounded off operating loss of Rs 20 million incurred by the company. The release also states rounded off operating losses by NDTV’s television and allied and ecommerce businesses to the extent of Rs 135 million and Rs 1 million, respectively, and operating profit of Rs 12 million from its digital business during the quarter.

    During the corresponding quarter a year ago, operating profit from the digital business was Rs 10 million (rounded off). An analysis of the numbers put out by NDTV on the stock exchanges shows that the company had incurred lower operating consolidated loss of Rs 106.9 million during Q2 FY 2016-17. On contacting NDTV about the discrepancy, the company responded on email saying, “The difference in the EBITDA in published results versus press release is primarily due to Ind AS adjustment for ESOP cost, which is being shown as one-line item just prior to PAT.”

    NDTV reported a 3.1 per cent drop in consolidated revenue for the quarter under review at Rs 1,025.5 million as compared with Rs 1,162.9 million for the year ago quarter. Net loss stood at Rs 231.40 million for Q2 FY 2017-18 as against net loss of Rs 229.1 million for Q2 FY 2016-17. Consolidated total comprehensive loss for the quarter declined slightly to Rs 233.7 million from Rs 236.40 million in the corresponding previous year’s quarter.

    NDTV reports numbers from two segments–television and media related operations (television) and retail ecommerce. The company reported operating revenue of Rs 1,002.2 million and operating loss of Rs 65.2 million for its television segment and operating revenue of Rs 350 million and an operating loss of Rs 89.3 million for its retail ecommerce segment for the quarter. Corresponding numbers for the year ago quarter were – revenue Rs 1,138.2 million and operating profit of Rs 0.6 million for the television segment and revenue of Rs 30.7 million and operating loss of Rs 136.1 million for the retail ecommerce segment.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company

    Consolidated total expenditure for the quarter declined by 9.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 1,254.1 million from Rs 1,384 million. Production expenses and cost of services decreased by 34.9 per cent y-o-y to Rs 172.1 million from Rs 264.3 million. Employee benefit expenses increased by 10.2 per cent y-o-y to Rs 573.9 million from Rs 520.70 million. Operating and administrative expenses declined by 21.6 per cent y-o-y to Rs 251.3 million from Rs 320.4 million. Marketing, distribution and promotional expenses reduced by 4.7 per cent to Rs 155.4 million from Rs 163.1 million.

     

  • Subs revenue boosts Sun TV earnings

    Subs revenue boosts Sun TV earnings

    BENGALURU: Riding on the high of an increase in subscription revenue, Sun TV Network Ltd (Sun TV) reported improved numbers across all important parameters for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2 FY 2017-18, current quarter) as compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q2 FY 2016-17). The company’s subscription revenue for the current quarter increased by 14.3 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs 2,776.8 million from Rs 2,429.0 million.

    Sun TV reported 5.6 percent increase in consolidated total income during the quarter to Rs 7,131.3 million as compared with Rs 6,754.7 million in Q2 FY 2016-17. Operating revenue rose by 8.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 6,759.0 million from Rs 6,254.9 million. The board of directors of Sun TV has declared a second interim dividend of the year of 50 per cent per equity share of Rs 5.

    During the quarter, the company’s profit after tax improved by 5.3 percent to Rs 2,846.7 million (42.1 percent of operating revenue) as compared with Rs 2,703.5 million (35.5 percent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

    Sun TV’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation (EBITDA) during the quarter were Rs 4,960.9 million (73.4 per cent of operating revenue), growth of 6.7 percent as against Rs 4,650.2 million (68.8 percent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

    Total expenditure during the quarter increased by 7.2 percent to Rs 2,825.6 million (41.8 percent of operating revenue) as compared with Rs 2,636 million (34.6 percent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Operating expense in Q2 FY 2017-18 grew by 24.8 percent to Rs 640.8 million (9.5 per cent of operating revenue) from Rs 513.3 million (6.7 per cent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Employee benefits expense in during the second quarter increased by 7.7 percent to Rs 773.9 million (11.4 per cent of operating revenue) as against Rs 718.3 million (9.4 per cent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

    Other expenses in the Q2-18 increased 2.8 percent to Rs 384.3 million (5.7 percent of operating revenue) as compared to Rs 373.1 million (4.9 percent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

  • Higher subscription & activation lead Den’s turnaround in Q2

    Higher subscription & activation lead Den’s turnaround in Q2

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) Den Network (Den) reported growth in operating revenue, operating profit (EBIDTA) and profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. In Q2-17 (the corresponding year ago quarter), the company had reported a loss. The change to black from red in the current quarter was driven by a reported 22.3 percent increase in operating revenue and an operating profit for its cable distribution (cable) business. Den’s cable business performed well due to cost optimisation measures and the company accelerating its subscription collections. The company claims in its earnings release that its subscription collection efficiency in Q2-18 was 93 percent.

    Den’s operating revenue for Q2-18 was Rs 3,277.9 million, 20.3 percent more y-o-y as compared to Rs 2,724.4 million. Total income including other revenue grew 19.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 3,349 million from Rs 2,800.4 million. The company reported 2.84 times the EBIDTA for Q2-18 at Rs 815.5 million as compared to Rs 287.5 million for the corresponding year ago quarter. PAT for the current quarter was Rs 11.1 million as compared to a loss of Rs 439.6 million in Q2-17.

    Cable business revenue in Q2-18 was Rs 3,079.9 million as compared to Rs 2,517.4 million in Q2-17.Cable business operating profit in the current quarter was Rs 277.5 million as compared to a an operating loss of Rs 306.7 million in Q2-17. Cable business subscription revenue increased 24 percent y-o-y to Rs 164 million from Rs 132 million. Activation revenue increased more than 7 times (7.3 times) to Rs 37 million from Rs 5 million. Placement revenue increased 2 percent y-o-y to Rs 88 million from Rs 86 million. Broadband revenue declined 8 percent y-o-y to Rs 19 million from Rs 21 million. Broadband EBIDTA loss was lower at Rs 1 million in Q2-18 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 2 million in Q2-17.

    Den says that it has deployed 0.25 million digital set top boxes in Q2-18 and its digital subscriber base (including associates) stands at 11 million. Broadband subscriber base in the current quarter was 0.205 million as compared to 0.14 million in Q2-17. Broadband ARPU declined in Q2-18 to Rs 664 from Rs 775 in Q2-17.

    Total expenditure in Q2-18 was almost flat (increased 0.6 percent) y-o-y to Rs 3,261.2 million from Rs 3,240.3 million. The company has reduced employee costs in the current quarter by 17.1 percent to Rs 273.8 million from Rs 330.2 million. Placement fees expense in Q2-18 declined 22.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 107 million from Rs 138 million. Other expenses declined 3.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 756.9 million from Rs 786.2 million. Content costs in the current quarter increased 12 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,324.7 million from Rs 1,182.5 million.

  • Double digit growth at Star India helps push Fox’s numbers up

    Double digit growth at Star India helps push Fox’s numbers up

    BENGALURU: 21st Century Fox reported that international affiliate revenue increased 11 percent driven by rate and subscriber growth at both FNG International and Star India for its cable network programming segment for the quarter ending 30 September 2017. The segment’s international advertising revenue increased 10 percent led by double digit growth at Star India and continued growth at FNG International says a 21st Century Fox release. International OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortisation) contributions were similar to the prior year quarter as higher contributions at Star India were offset by lower contributions at FNG International where higher entertainment and sports programming costs more than offset the higher reported revenues.

    21st Century Fox reported total quarterly revenues of $7.002 billion, a $496 million, or 8 percent, increase from the $6.51 billion of revenues, reported in the prior year’s quarter. This increase reflects revenue growth reported across all operating segments, led by higher affiliate revenues at both the cable network programming and television segments and higher content revenues at the filmed entertainment segment.

    The company reported quarterly income from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders of $839 million ($0.45 per share), as compared to $827 million ($0.44 per share) reported in the prior year quarter. Excluding the net income effects of impairment and restructuring charges, Other, net and adjustments to equity earnings of affiliates adjusted quarterly earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to 21st Century Fox stockholders was $0.49 compared to the adjusted result of $0.51 for the same quarter of the prior year.

    Commenting on the results, 21st Century Fox executive chairmen Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch said, “The company’s double-digit gains in affiliate revenues demonstrate our strength in the dynamic global market for distinctive video brands and content, across both established distributors and new entrants. We delivered top-line growth at all of our businesses, backed by stand-out storytelling, sports and news, as well as a product focus that will drive greater consumption and compelling opportunities for financial returns on our content investment. Our solid first quarter performance puts us on track to achieve our overall financial and operational objectives for this fiscal year.”

    Watch this space for more …

     

  • GTPL reports higher numbers for second quarter

    GTPL reports higher numbers for second quarter

    BENGALURU: Indian multi system operator (MSO) and broadband internet services (broadband) provider GTPL Hathway Limited (GTPL) has reported a year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in standalone as well subsidiary companies’ operating profits and net profits for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter). GTPL’s broadband internet business – GTPL Broadband is a 100 percent subsidiary of GTPL. The company owns a 51 percent stake in GTPL Kolkata Cable & Broadband Pariseva Limited (KCBPL).

    GTPL standalone

    On a standalone basis, GTPL reported 23.9 percent y-o-y growth in revenue for Q2-18 at Rs 1,838.16 million from Rs 1,480.60 million. EBIDTA including other income in the current quarter was 19.7 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 585.13 million (31.9 percent margin) as compared to Rs 488.66 million (33 percent margin). Net profit after tax increased 53 percent y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 117.68 million (6.4 percent margin) from Rs 76.93 million (5.2 percent margin).

    The company reported 32.6 percent y-o-y growth in subscription revenue for Q2-18 at Rs 1,001 million from Rs 755 million. Placement revenue increased 10.7 percent y-o-y in the current quarter at Rs 588 million from Rs 531 million. Activation revenue declined 7.8 percent y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 47 million from Rs 51 million.

    GTPL says that it has seeded 0.52 million set top boxes and increased CATV digital active subscribers by 0.37 million in the current quarter. It says that CATV digital paying subscribers increased by 0.94 million to 6.94 million in Q2-18 as compared to 5.70 million subscribers in the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18.

    The phase-wise breakup of GTPL’s digital paying subscribers is 0.56 million, 1.66 million, 2.02 million and 2.40 million for DAS phases I, II, III and IV respectively. ARPU in Q2-18 with respect to Q1-18 has increased by Re 1 each to Rs 101 and Rs 96 in phases I and II respectively; has increased by Rs 4 and Rs 8 in phases III and IV respectively.

    GTPL Broadband

    The company says that GTPL Broadband’s total income in Q2-18 increased 13 percent y-o-y to Rs 331 million from Rs 292 million. EBIDTA grew 15 percent y-o-y to Rs 92 million from Rs 80 million. PAT increased 2 percent y-o-y to Rs 39 million in the current quarter from Rs 38 million.

    The company claims that GTPL Broadband has added 10,000 broadband internet subscribers in Q2-18 as compared to Q1-18.Its broadband internet subscriber base at the end of Q2-18 was 0.26 million. Broadband internet ARPU has increased in the current quarter to Rs 487 as compared to Rs 486 in Q1-18 and 465 in Q2-17.

    GTPL Kolkata Cable & Broadband Pariseva Limited (KCBPL)

    KCBPL’s total income grew 45 percent y-o-y to Rs 398 million from Rs 274 million. Subscription CATV revenue increased 48 percent y-o-y to Rs 256 million in Q2-18 from Rs 176 million. Placement revenue in the current quarter grew 6 percent y-o-y to Rs 80 million from Rs 76 million. Activation revenue in Q2-18 more than quintupled y-o-y to Rs 56 million from Rs 11 million.

    KCBPL’s EBIDTA more than tripled y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 119 million from Rs 37 million. The company reported PAT of Rs 2 million in Q2-18as compared to a loss of Rs 23 million in Q2-17.

  • Siti Networks reports higher revenue, operating profit for Q2-18

    Siti Networks reports higher revenue, operating profit for Q2-18

    BENGALURU: Siti Networks Limited (Siti) reported higher revenue and operating profit (EBIDTA) for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter – Q2-17 (y-o-y). However, loss for the current quarter was higher year-on-year.

    Siti reported 21.9 percent y-o-y growth in operating revenue for Q2-18 at Rs 3,523.08 million as compared Rs 2,889.67 million. Total Income (including other income) for the current quarter increased 22.3 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 3,562.64 million that Rs 2,913.17 million in Q2-17. Revenues grew mainly on account of higher subscription revenue partially set off by a decline in carriage revenue.

    Operating EBIDTA for Q2-18 was 41.9 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 671.75 million as compared to Rs 473.37 million, while overall EBIDTA increased 43.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 711.31 million from Rs 497.07 million. The company reported a higher loss of Rs 524.25 million in Q2-18 as compared to a loss of Rs 354.73 million.

    While commenting on the results, Siti’s chief business transformation officer Rajesh Sethi said, “Siti displayed strong growth in video as Q2 subscription income jumped 21 percent q-o-q and 52 percent y-o-y with overall collection efficiency improving to 93 percent for H1FY18. We continue to improve monetization levels and leverage our customer base in Phase 3 and 4 territories. An emphasis on cost optimization and instilling a lean culture is expected to drive efficiencies across the board and further aid the bottomline. At the same time, an organizational restructuring is underway to evolve Siti into a more nimble and effective organization. In Broadband, focus on further enhancement of service levels to retain customers and new geographies expansion is expected to drive growth along with overall improvement in the pricing environment.”

    Breakup of revenue (rounded off) and subscriber matrices

    Siti reported 51.9 percent y-o-y growth in subscription revenue to Rs 2,050 million from Rs 1,350 million. Carriage revenue declined 6.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 710 million from Rs 760 million. Activation revenues increased 15.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 440 million from Rs 380 million, but were sharply lower than the Rs 850 million in the immediate trailing quarter (Q1-18). Siti has a cable subscriber base (analogue and digital) of 13.2 million. The company had converted 1.6 million of its existing subscribers to digital in Q1-17 as compared to less than half that number in Q2-17 (0.7 million). Siti’s active video subscriber base was 11.1million in Q2-18, while it was 10.6 in Q1-18. It’s HD subscriber base increased by 34,000 in Q2-18 to 254,000 from 230,000 in Q1-18.

    Broadband revenue was flat (grew 2.2 percent) y-o-y at Rs 250 million. The company has witnessed a slight decrease in its broadband subscriber base to 238,000 in the current quarter from 240,000 in the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company

    Total expenditure increased 22.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 4,013.93 million from Rs 3,268.10 million. Finance costs increased 32.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 371.49 million from Rs 280.02 million. Carriage sharing, pay channel and related costs increased 16.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,676.01 million in Q2-18 from Rs 1,434.08 million. Employee benefits expense in the current quarter increased 9.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 227.47 million from Rs 206.98 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Other expenses increased 25 percent y-o-y in Q2-18 to Rs 942.86 million from Rs 754.09 million.

  • Hathway Cable & Datacom reports improved numbers for Q2-18

    Hathway Cable & Datacom reports improved numbers for Q2-18

    BENGALURU: The demerged Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (Hathway) reported standalone profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 140.1 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18,current quarter) as compared PBT of Rs 100.3 million in the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18 (q-o-q). It may be noted that Hathway’s numbers for Q2-17 include both cable television and broadband numbers and hence cannot be compared with Q2-18 revenues that include only broadband revenue. Hence, Hathways numbers for the current quarter have been compared to its numbers from the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18 (quarter ended 30 June 2017)

    Hathway’s total revenue of Rs 1,370.8 million for the current quarter was 5.5 percent more q-o-q than Rs 1,299.4 million. Revenue from operations in Q2-18 was 1.7 percent higher q-o-q at Rs 1311.5 million than Rs 1290 million.

    Hathway’s total comprehensible income (TCI) for the current quarter was a little more than half (lower by 49.1 percent) q-o-q at Rs 139.8 million as compared to Rs 274.6 million on account of exceptional items that had increased TCI in Q1-18 by Rs 1713 million. Simple operating EBIDTA for Q2-18 at Rs 526.6 million was 7.6 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 489.4 million.

    Hathway’s total expenditure in the current quarter increased 2.6 percent q-o-q to Rs 1,230.7 million from Rs 1,199.1 million. Finance costs in the current quarter increased 17.1 percent q-o-q to Rs 201.9 million from Rs 172.4 million. Employee benefits expense in Q2-18 increased 18.3 percent q-o-q to Rs 105.3 million from Rs 89 million. Other operational expenses in the current quarter increased 6.8 percent q-o-q to Rs 328.9 million from Rs 307.9 million. Other expenses reduced 13.1 percent in Q2-18 to Rs 350.7 million from Rs 403.7 million.

  • Airtel Digital TV revenues, op profits rise in Q2 FY 2018

    Airtel Digital TV revenues, op profits rise in Q2 FY 2018

    BENGALURU: Airtel Digital TV services (Airtel DTH), the DTH segment of Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel), saw revenue grow 10 percent for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (Q2-17, year ago quarter). The segment’s EBIDTA for Q2-18 increased 16 percent as compared to the year ago quarter (y-o-y).  Over time, Airtel DTH segment’s contribution to Airtel India revenue has grown to about 6 percent.

    Airtel DTH revenue in the current quarter increased to Rs 9,639 million from Rs 8,545 million, while EBIDTA increased to Rs 3,517 million in Q2-18 from Rs 3,030 million. EBIT increased by a massive 76 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,230 million from Rs 699 million. The company’s capex investments to Airtel DTH in Q2-18 increased 26 percent y-o-y to Rs 3,191 million from Rs 2,541 million, while cumulative investments in the segment increased 9 percent to Rs 75,435 million from Rs 69,453 million.

    Airtel DTH subscriber matrices

    Airtel DTH subscriber base grew by 207,000 to 13.521 million in Q2-18 from 13.314 million in the immediate trailing quarter (Q1-18). In Q2-17, Airtel DTH had a subscriber base of 12.405 million. Average revenue per user (ARPU) in Q2-18 increased to Rs 233 in Q2-18 from Rs 228 in Q1-18 and Rs 232 in Q2-18. The segment had a higher customer churn in  the current quarter at 1.4 percent as compared to 0.9 percent in the immediate trailing quarter and 0.9 percent in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Overall, Airtel revenues for Q2-18 at Rs 246,520 million declined by 11 percent y-o-y primarily from Rs 246,520 million. Airtel India revenues declined 14.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 168,183 million  from Rs 196,149 led by mobile drop of 16.8 percent y-o-y. The company says that the mobile market continues to experience value erosion and financial stress led by competitive pressures.

    Mobile data traffic has grown fourfold to 784 billion MB in the quarter as compared to 178 billion MB in the corresponding quarter of last year. Mobile broadband customers increased by 33.6 percent to 55.2 million from 41.3 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.

    Airtel’s profit after tax in Q2-18 declined to less than half at Rs 12,990 million from Rs 27,350 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Net income declined to less than a fourth in the current quarter at Rs 3,430 million from Rs 14,610 million in Q2-17.

    Airtel MD and CEO India & South Asia Gopal Vittal said, “The financial stress in the industry continues due to double digit revenue decline and will be further accentuated by the reduction in IUC rates in the next quarter. This will eventually force operator consolidation and exits as we have witnessed in the recent past. Airtel remains committed to its goal of increasing revenue market share in this competitive environment by providing superior customer experience and strategically investing behind building more data capacities.”