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Tag: Balaji Telefilms Limited

  • ALTBalaji adds 3.48 mn subscriptions in 9MFY22; direct sub revenue at Rs 45 cr

    ALTBalaji adds 3.48 mn subscriptions in 9MFY22; direct sub revenue at Rs 45 cr

    Mumbai: Balaji Telefilms announced its third quarter financial results for FY 2022. The company’s quarterly income from operations at the end of 31 December 2021 stood at Rs 76.2 crore. It posted a net loss after tax of Rs 26.4 crore for the quarter.

    The company reported that total subscriptions sold for their OTT platform ALTBalaji for the third quarter year-to-date FY22 stood at 3.48 million. The direct subscription revenue was recorded at Rs 45 crore.

    Engagement time on the video-on-demand platform was recorded at 82 minutes with a watch time of 15.45 billion in minutes. Till date, cumulative video views on the platform stands at 1.26 billion.

     ALTBalaji added 11 shows in the nine months and has taken the overall library to 89+ shows.

    The company said its TV business continued normal in the past nine months with 618 hours of production across seven shows and a strong pipeline for the year. “Three new shows have been lined up and should commence shortly,” said the company statement.

    The company also has five film projects in the pipeline. “Movie business resumed production and the company made good progress,” said the company adding that it continues to wait for availability for theatrical launch windows and looking at deals across direct to digital as well. As part of its strategy it continues to control investments in movies and pursue pre-sales and co-production deals where feasible.

    “ALTBalaji continues to drive subscription growth and we added 3.48 million subscriptions during the nine months,” said Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor. “We added 11 shows in the nine months and now have a solid line up for the rest of the year. Our strategic content sharing deals will ensure we control on the cash spend while driving overall profitability. Our TV business has shown good recovery in terms of production hours and we hope to improve this momentum as three new shows will commence. In the movie business, production for some exciting projects is at various stages of completion. We closely monitor the availability of theatrical releases and direct to digital launches. Overall, the year has been good and expected to continue the momentum.”

  • ALT-Balaji a ray of hope in a productionless Covid quarter for Balaji Telefilms

    ALT-Balaji a ray of hope in a productionless Covid quarter for Balaji Telefilms

    BENGALURU: The most successful television content and film production house in India, the Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor led Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji) reported a standalone loss of Rs 1.40 crore on a standalone operating revenue of Rs 21.17 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2020 (Q1 2021, quarter or period under review). Balaji reported a consolidated loss of Rs 27.9 crore for the period under review per an investor presentation. For the corresponding year ago quarter (Q1 2020), Balaji had reported consolidated loss of Rs 42.2 crore on consolidated operating revenue of Rs 90.5 crore. Balaji had reported standalone profit of Rs 10.43 crore in Q1 2020 on a standalone revenue of Rs 116.07 crore. Consolidated EBIDTA for Q1 2021 was a loss of Rs 26.30 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 32.33 crore for Q1 2020.

    Read more stories on Alt Balaji

    Hit by a halt in all production during most of Q1 2021, Balaji has reported consolidated operating revenue of Rs 35.1 crore. A big chunk of the operating revenue – Rs 14.9 crore, came in from Balaji Telefilms OTT platform ALT-Balaji. The company says in a press release that ALT-Balaji subscription revenue increased to Rs 12.9 crore in Q1 2021, while for Q1 2020, ALT Balaji’s reported subscription revenue of Rs 6.7 crore.

    Segment revenue

    Commissioned programmes

    Revenue from Balaji’s commissioned programmes during the quarter under review was less than one-twentieth of the revenue for the corresponding year ago quarter. Balaji reported operating revenue for its Commissioned programmes segment at Rs 4.10 crore for Q1 2021 which was 95.6 percent lower than the Rs 93.17 crore in Q1 2020. The segment reported an operating loss of Rs 6.33 crore in Q1 2021 as compared to an operating profit of Rs 9.67 crore in Q1 2020.

    Films segment

    Revenue from Balaji’s Films segment was 17.49 crore in Q1 2021 as compared to Rs 1.67 crore in Q1 2020. The segment had an operating profit of Rs 5.27 crore as compared to a small loss of Rs 0.10 crore in Q1 2020.

    Digital segment (ALT-Balaji)

    Revenue from Balaji’s Digital segment (OTT segment – ALT-Balaji) in Q1 2021 increased 20.9 percent to Rs 14.90 crore as compared to Rs 12.33 crore in Q1 2020. The segment had a lower operating loss of Rs 25.79 crore in Q1 2021 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 36.83 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Read more stories on Balaji Telefilms

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji

    Consolidated total income for Q1 2021 at Rs 40.79 crore was 56 percent lower y-o-y as compared to Rs 92.75 crore. Consolidated total expenses for Q1 2021 fell 48.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 69.57 crore from Rs 134.30 crore.

    Consolidated cost of production declined 69 percent in Q1 2021 to Rs 26.53 crore as compared to Rs 85.69 crore in Q1 2020. Consolidated marketing and distribution expenses in Q1 2021 declined 47.6 percent to Rs 6.07 crore from Rs 11.57 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Consolidated employee benefits expense in Q1 2021 declined 53.9 percent to Rs 5.52 crore from Rs 11.08 crore in Q1 2020. Consolidated other expenses in Q1 2020 reduced 32.9 percent to Rs 13.20 crore from Rs 19.68 crore in Q1 2020.

    Company speak

    Balaji Telefilms Limited managing director Shobha Kapoor said through a press release, “The quarter has been particularly challenging as all content production activity came to a stop. However, our digital businesses have performed well and we are well positioned to grow that business. We remain confident that our TV business will return to more normal levels of content production as our teams have adapted to shooting under the new rules following all health and safety requirements, we now have 6 shows on air and a couple more in the pipeline. We have initiated several cost optimisation programs during the quarter and should continue to see the benefits of these programs as content production volumes return.”

  • Balaji Telefilms operating profit up; ALT Balaji subs and revenue increase in FY 2020

    Balaji Telefilms operating profit up; ALT Balaji subs and revenue increase in FY 2020

    BENGALURU: The most successful television content and film production house in India, the Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms Ltd (Balaji) reported 34.1 percent growth in consolidated operating revenue at Rs 573.55 crore for the fiscal ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year under review) as compared to the Rs 427.71 crore reported for the previous year (FY 2019). Consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 31 March 2020 (Q4 2020, quarter under review) also increased 21.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 107.68 crore from Rs 88.86 crore in Q4 2019. Consolidated loss of FY 2020 declined to Rs 58.96 crore from Rs 97.75 crore in FY 2019. The company reported lower consolidated loss of Rs 19.84 crore in Q4 2020 as compared to 27.97 crore in Q4 2019.

    Balaji reported having completed 823 hours of commissioned programmes in FY 2020 as compared to 763 hours in FY 2019. Slightly lower programming hours were completed in Q4 2020 – 198 hours as compared to 200.5 hours in the corresponding year ago quarter. The company had halted all production on 18 March 2020 on account of the COVID2019 pandemic.  The company said that the realisation per hour was lower in FY 2020 at Rs 0.37 crore per hour as compared to Rs 0.38 crore per hour in FY 2019 because of lower number of weekend shows. Realisation per hour in Q4 2020 at Rs 0.39 crore per hour was however higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 0.36 crore per hour in Q4 2019.

    On a consolidated basis, the company reported operating profit (Simple EBITDA) of Rs 10.73 crore in FY 2020 as compared to a consolidated operating loss (negative EBITDA) of Rs 105.11 crore in FY 2019. For Q4 2020 also, Balaji reported positive consolidated EBIDTA of Rs 39.58 crore as compared to a consolidated operating loss of Rs 33.24 crore in Q4 2019.

    ALT Balaji numbers

    Though it has yet to become profitable, Balaji’s OTT platform ALT Balaji operating revenue almost doubled (increased 85.1 percent) to Rs 77.49 crore in FY 2020 as compared to Rs 41.87 crore in FY 2019. The company reported lower operating loss for ALT Balaji at Rs 92.16 crore for FY 2020 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 120.81 crore for FY 2019. Balaji says that direct subscription revenue for ALT Balaji has grown over 100 percent year on year.

    ALT Balaji operating revenue increased 61.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 22.18 crore during Q4 2020 as compared to Rs 13.76 crore in Q4 2019. The company reported lower operating loss for ALT Balaji at Rs 14.44 crore for Q4 2020 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 31.75 crore for Q4 2019.

    Commissioned programmes

    Revenue from the company’s television programming (Commissioned programmes) increased 22.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 421.25 crore in FY 2020 as compared to Rs 344.02 crore in the previous year. Commissioned programmes business operating results increased 369.2 percent during FY 2020 to Rs 83.06 crore as compared to Rs 49.09 crore in the pervious year.

    Revenue from the company’s television programming (Commissioned programmes) increased 35.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 110.89 crore in Q4 2020 as compared to Rs 81.80 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Commissioned programmes business operating results declined 3.5 percent during Q4 2020 to Rs 19.55 crore as compared to Rs 20.27 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Films segment

    Revenue from Balaji’s Films segment increased 69.2 percent in FY 2020 to Rs 172.40 crore from Rs 102.27 crore. Films segment operating results grew more than six-fold (grew 555.2 percent) at Rs 54.14 crore as compared to an operating profit of Rs 8.26 crore in FY 2019.

    Revenue from Balaji’s Films segment fell 43.8 percent y-o-y in Q4 2020 to Rs 5.46 crore from Rs 9.72 crore. Films segment operating results was more than three times higher (up 259.4 percent) at Rs 4.49 crore as compared to an operating profit of Rs 1.25 crore in Q4 2019.

    Some standalone numbers

    Standalone PAT for FY 2020 was 63 percent lower at Rs 21.77 crore as compared to Rs 58.87 crore in FY 2019. Balaji’s Standalone PAT for Q4 2020 and Q4 2019 was Rs 10.43 crore and Rs 2.18 crore respectively.

    Balaji’s standalone operating revenue for FY 2020 31 percent higher at Rs 567.63 crore as compared to Rs 438.67 crore in FY 2019. Standalone operating revenue for Q4 2020 and Q4 2019 was Rs 116.06 crore and Rs 82.12 crore respectively.

    Company speak

    Balaji Telefilms Limited managing director Shobha Kapoor said in the investor release, “This year has been one of the best year for Balaji Telefilms despite the partial impact of COVID-19 towards the end of March 2020. We continue to focus on creating good content and growing our digital platform. We are witnessing huge opportunity within the digital space due to COVID-19 and we are gearing ourselves to exploit this opportunity.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji

    Consolidated total income for FY 2020 at Rs 582.16 crore was 26.7 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 459.48 crore. Consolidated total expenses for FY 2020 increased 9.7 percent to Rs 604.33 crore from Rs 1550.90 crore.

    Consolidated cost of production declined 12.6 percent FY 2020 to Rs 349.89 crore as compared to Rs 400.45 crore in FY 2019. Consolidated marketing and distribution expenses in FY 2020 increased 40.4 percent to Rs 60.56 crore from Rs 43.12 crore in the previous year. Consolidated employee benefits expense in FY 2020 declined 26.5 percent to Rs 36.45 crore from Rs 49.57 crore in FY 2019. Consolidated other expenses in FY 2020 increased 19.1 percent to Rs 76.42 crore from Rs 36.45 crore in FY 2019.

    Consolidated total income for Q4 2020 at Rs 106.09 crore was 9 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 97.29 crore. Consolidated total expenses for the quarter under review reduced 5.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 118.74 crore from Rs 125.76 crore.

    Consolidated cost of production declined 16.8 percent y-o-y in Q4 2020 to Rs 75.36 crore as compared to Rs 91.83 crore. Consolidated marketing and distribution expenses in Q4 2020 declined 40 percent y-o-y to Rs 5.01 crore from Rs 8.34 crore. Consolidated employee benefits expense in Q4 2020 declined 35.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 8.57 crore from Rs 13.22 crore. Consolidated other expenses in Q4 2020 reduced 27.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 20.17 crore from Rs 27.82 crore.

  • All segments rake in numbers for Balaji Telefilms, Alt Balaji numbers up

    All segments rake in numbers for Balaji Telefilms, Alt Balaji numbers up

    BENGALURU: One of the most successful television content production houses in India, the Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms Ltd (Balaji) reported growth in revenue from all its three segments for the quarter ended 31 December 2019 (Q3 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter Q3 2019.  The company’s board of directors has declared an interim dividend of 20 percent or Rs 0.40 per share for the financial year 2019-20.

    In its investor presentation, the Balaji says that its TV Business contributes to 15 percent of prime-time ratings and that it is the number one production house by a wide margin. It had nine shows running through the quarter with two new launches, while two shows came to an end. The Indian drama series Yeh Hai Chahatein, a spin-off show based on Yeh Hai Mohabbatein was launched on Star Plus. The fourth season of the very popular supernatural series Naagin was launched on Viacom18’s flagship Hindi GEC Colors, replacing Kaavach 2. Also Balaji Telefilms released one new film – Dream Girl in Q3 2019.

    Balaji’s posted more than double (up 144.5 percent) y-o-y growth in standalone profit after tax or PAT for Q3 2019. Standalone revenue from operations increased 77.9 percent y-o-y in Q3 2020.

    Though it has yet to become profitable, Balaji’s OTT platform ALT Balaji operating revenue almost tripled (increased 187.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 23.14 crore during the period under review as compared to Rs 8.05 crore in Q3 2019. The company reported lower operating loss for ALT Balaji at Rs 12.27 crore for Q3 2020 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 32.95 crore for Q3 2019.

    Revenue from the company’s television programming increased 3.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 81.96 crore in Q3 2020 as compared to Rs 79.3 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Revenue from Commissioned programmes segment increased 28.2 percent y-o-y in Q3 2020 to Rs 133.10 crore from Rs 103.79 crore in Q3 2019. Commissioned programmes business operating results increased by 56.2 percent during the period to Rs 27.94 crore as compared to Rs 17.89 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Balaji produced 10.1 percent more programming hours during the quarter under review at 219 hours as compared to 199 hours in Q3 2019, but realisation per hour in Q3 2020 at Rs 0.37 crore was lower y-o-y as compared to Rs 0.40 crore in Q3 2019 according to the company’s investor presentation.

    Revenue from Balaji’s Films segment increased nine-fold (increased 800.4 percent) y-o-y in Q3 2020 to Rs 93.89 crore from Rs 25.33 crore. Films segment operating results was more than 70 times higher (up 6,978.9 percent) at Rs 33.50 crore as compared to an operating profit of Rs 0.43 crore in Q3 2019.

    Balaji’s standalone PAT for Q3 2020 and Q3 2019 was Rs 29.41 crore and Rs 12.02 crore respectively.  On a consolidated basis, the company reported PAT in Q3 2020 at Rs 13.83 crore as compared to a consolidated loss of Rs 27.31 crore in Q3 2019. Standalone EBITDA increased by 77.9 percent y-o-y in Q3 2020 to Rs 198.36 crore from Rs 111.50 crore.

    Standalone operating revenue for Q3 2020 and Q3 2019 was Rs 198.36 crore and Rs 111.50 crore respectively. Consolidated operating revenue in Q3 2020 increased 95 percent y-o-y to Rs 187.89 crore from Rs 96.33 crore.

    Company Speak

    Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor said in the investor release, ”This quarter we created good, compelling and entertaining content across all our business verticals and this has resulted in a very strong financial performance. Apart from driving the top line, we remain focused on cost-saving measures that allow us to leverage economies of scale in content production, yielding an improved bottom line. We will continue to focus on growing the business profitably and utilising our existing cash reserves prudently, as we have been doing.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji

    Consolidated total income for Q3 2020 at Rs 190.68 crore was 81.1 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 105.30 crore. Consolidated total expenses for the period under review increased 25 percent y-o-y to Rs 192.58 crore from Rs 140.22 crore.

    Consolidated cost of production was almost flat (declined 0.9 percent) y-o-y in Q3 2020 to Rs 95.07 crore as compared to Rs 95.95 crore. Consolidated marketing and distribution expenses in Q3 2020 declined 37.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 6.76 crore from Rs 10.74 crore. Consolidated employee benefits expense in Q3 2020 declined 34.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 9.37 crore from Rs 14.25 crore. Consolidated other expenses in Q2 2020 increased 63 percent y-o-y to Rs 16.02 crore from Rs 9.83 crore.

  • Production rakes in numbers for Balaji Telefilms; Alt Balaji numbers up

    Production rakes in numbers for Balaji Telefilms; Alt Balaji numbers up

    BENGALURU: One of the most successful television content production houses in India, the Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms Ltd (Balaji) reported more than double standalone profit after tax or PAT (up 117.6 percent) y-o-y for the quarter ended 30 September 2019 (Q2 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter Q2 2019. Standalone revenue from operations increased 58.7 percent y-o-y in Q2 2020. Though it has yet to become profitable, Balaji’s OTT platform ALTBalaji operating revenue increased 40.8 percent y-o-y at Rs 20.11 crore during the period under review as compared to Rs 14.28 crore in Q2 2019. The company reported an operating loss for ALT Balaji at Rs 28.71 crore for Q2 2020 as compared to an operating loss of Rs 23.23 crore for Q2 2019.

    Balaji’s Standalone PAT for Q2 2020 and Q2 2019 was Rs 15.50 crore and Rs 7.12 crore respectively. The company incurred a lower consolidated loss in Q2 2020 at Rs 10.73 crore as compared to a consolidated loss of Rs 15.44 crore in Q2 2019. Standalone EBITDA almost quintupled (increased by 389.5 percent y-o-y in Q2 2020 to Rs 30.83 crore from Rs 6.30 crore.

    Standalone operating revenue for Q2 2020 and Q2 2019 was Rs 179.35 crore and Rs 119.07 crore respectively. Consolidated operating revenue in Q2 2020 increased 57.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 187.46 crore from Rs 119.07 crore.

    Though Balaji produced more programming hours during the quarter under review at 210.5 hours as compared to 193 hours in Q2 2019, lower realisation per hour in Q2 2020 at Rs 0.36 crore as compared to Rs 0.40 crore in Q2 2019 resulted in a revenue decline according to the company’s investor presentation. Revenue from the company’s television business declined 1.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 75.6 crore in Q2 2020 as compared to Rs 77.1 crore in Q2 2019.

    Consolidated operating revenue in Q2 2020 increased 57.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 187.46 crore from Rs 119.07 crore. Revenue from commissioned programmes declined 4.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 84.29 crore from Rs 88.42 crore. Operating profit  for Commissioned Programmes segment almost doubled (up 98.4 percent) y-o-y to Rs 25.89 crore from Rs 13.05 crore.

    Revenue from Films segment almost quadrupled (increased 270.7 percent) y-o-y in Q2 2020 to Rs 93.89 crore from Rs 25.33 crore. Films segment reported operating profit of Rs 16.25 crore as compared to an operating profit of Rs 1.32 crore in Q2 2019.

    Company Speak

    Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor said in the investor release, ”This quarter we created good, compelling and entertaining content across all our business verticals and this has resulted in a very strong financial performance. Apart from driving the top line, we remain focused on cost-saving measures that allow us to leverage economies of scale in content production, yielding an improved bottom line. We will continue to focus on growing the business profitably and utilising our existing cash reserves prudently, as we have been doing.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji

    Consolidated total income for Q2 2020 at Rs 192.63 crore was 53.2 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 125.76 crore. Consolidated total expenses for the period under review increased 37.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 192.58 crore from Rs 140.22 crore.

    Consolidated cost of production declined 5.9 percent y-o-y in Q2 2020 to Rs 92.76 crore from Rs 98.57 crore. Consolidated marketing and distribution expenses in Q2 2020 more than tripled (up 233.6 percent) y-o-y to Rs 37.22 crore from Rs 11.16 crore. Consolidated employee benefits expense in Q2 2020 declined 50.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 6.53 crore from Rs 13.08 crore. Consolidated other expenses in Q2 2020 increased 96.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 20.56 crore from Rs 10.48 crore.

  • Balaji Telefilms commissioned programs, ALT Balaji numbers up in Q1 2019

    Balaji Telefilms commissioned programs, ALT Balaji numbers up in Q1 2019

    BENGALURU: The Jitendra Kapoor-Shobha Kapoor-Ektaa Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms Ltd reported 33.1 percent y-o-y growth in revenue from its Commissioned Programmes (CP) segment for the quarter ended 30 June 2019 (Q1 2020, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company also reported more than doubling (up 113.1 percent) of revenue from its Digital segment (ALT Balaji) in the quarter under review as compared to Q1 2019. Revenue for Balaji Telefilms CP segment for Q1 2020 and Q1 2019 was Rs 93.17 crore and Rs 70.01 crore respectively. Revenue from ALT Balaji was Rs 12.33 crore and Rs 5.78 crore for Q1 2020 and Q2 2019 respectively. The company reported less than one-fortieth operating revenue (down 97.5 percent) for Q1 2020 at Rs 1.67 crore as compared to Rs 68.04 crore from its films segment

    Overall, on a consolidated basis, Balaji Telefilms reported 26.7 percent y-o-y decline in operating revenue for Q1 2020 at Rs 90.52 crore from Rs 123.44 crore. The company explained that there were no film releases during Q1 2020, as compared to 1 film that was released in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Consolidated EBITDA for Q1 2020 was an operating loss of Rs 33.24 crore as compared to an operating loss of 27.98 crore in Q1 2019. The company reported a consolidated loss of Rs 41.54 crore for the quarter under review as compared to a consolidated loss of Rs 27.03 crore in Q1 2019.

    The company reported an operating profit (result) of Rs 9.67 crore for Q1 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 2.12 crore in Q1 2019 from its CP segment. Commissioned programming hours in Q1 2020 increased 15 percent y-o-y to 195.5 from 170.5 in Q1 2019. Revenue from commission programmes increased 21 percent y-o-y to Rs 69.6 crore in Q1 2020 from Rs 57.3 crore in Q1 2019. Net realisation per hour increased 5 percent in Q1 2020 to Rs 0.36 crore from Rs 0.35 crore in Q1 2019.  

    For ALT Balaji, the company reported a higher operating loss (result) of Rs 36.83 crore for Q1 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 28.76 crore for Q1 2019.  The company reported 25.3 million subscribers at the end of Q1 2020 as compared to 3.4 million subscribers at the end of Q1 2019. As on 8 August 2020, Balaji Telefilms claims that it had 27.3 million subscribers. (100 lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore)

    For its Films segment, Balaji Telefilms reported an operating loss (result) of Rs 0.10 crore for the quarter under review as compared to an operating profit of Rs 8.91 crore in Q1 2019.

    On a standalone basis, Balaji Telefilms operating revenue in Q1 2020 declined 38 percent to Rs 82.85 crore from Rs 133.65 crore in Q1 2019. EBITDA for Q1 2010 was Rs 10.56 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 0.88 crore for Q1 2019. The company reported standalone profit after tax of Rs 2.53 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 1.20 crore for Q1 2019.

    Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor said, “Operationally this was a good quarter with strong performance across all business and the two deals in our movie and digital business dramatically improves our financial profile going forward and will allow us to pursue our growth ambitions. I also take this opportunity to thank Sunil Lulla our Group CEO who has decided to pursue other opportunities after a brief period with us. Sunil leaves Balaji Telefilms in a very strong position for future growth and the rest of the leadership team will continue to drive the business forward.”

  • Balaji Telefilms TV, film biz report stellar growth; ALTBalaji subscriber base at 13.1 mn

    Balaji Telefilms TV, film biz report stellar growth; ALTBalaji subscriber base at 13.1 mn

    BENGALURU: India’s premier television and digital content creation house Balaji Telefilms Ltd reported stellar performance from its television and film making business (TV business, or standalone) for the quarter ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter, period, under review).

    The company has three segments – commissioned programs, films and digital.

    Balaji’s TV business commissioned programmes – (number of hours of content creation) grew 11 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) during the quarter under review to 199 hours as compared to 179 hours in the corresponding year ago quarter. Net realisation per hour of commissioned programmes went up to Rs 0.4 crore or by about 21 percent y-o-y in Q3 2019 as compared to Rs 0.33 per hour in Q3 2018.  However gross margin and gross margin percentage have both gone down in Q3 2019 to Rs 0.11 crore and 27.3 percent respectively as compared to Rs 0.13 crore and 37.9 percent respectively in the year ago quarter.

    Overall, Balaji Telefilms TV business (or standalone) operating revenue increased 87.4 percent in the period under review to Rs 111.3 crore as compared to Rs 59.4 crore in Q3 2018. TV business profit after tax grew 29 percent y-o-y to Rs 12 crore from Rs 9.3 crore.

    Balaji reported Rs 7.93 crore for Q3 2019 for its film segment as compared to Rs 1.85 crore for Q3 2018. The segment had an operating profit of Rs 1.42 crore during the period under review as compared to operating profit of Rs 0.73 crore in Q3 2018.

    However, on a consolidated basis, it is Balaji Telefilms digital segment, its OTT platform ALTBalaji that more than wiped off the profits generated by the other segments. ALTBalaji incurred a loss of Rs 36.4 crore on operating revenue of Rs 8 crore during the quarter under review. Comparatively, in the third quarter of the previous fiscal, Balaji Telefilms had reported revenue of Rs 1.1 crore and a loss of Rs 17.8 crore for ALTBalaji. The good news is that ALTBalaji’s sold subscription base has gone up by more than twenty times – from 0.052 crore in Q3 2018 to 1.05 crore at close of December 2018.

    Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor said, “We are pleased to announce another strong performance this quarter, highlighted improving margins that has cemented our place as a leader in the Indian media industry. Our in-house content gives us the ability to create strong franchises, nurture new talent and ultimately give consumers the best possible entertainment choices, hence making it a value proposition for our investors and stakeholders.”

    Let us look at the other consolidated numbers reported by Balaji Telefilms

    Balaji Telefilms consolidated revenue from operations increased 48.8 percent y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 96.33 crore from Rs 64.73 crore. Consolidated total income for the period under review grew 50.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 105.3 crore from Rs 69.85 crore. The company reported a consolidated loss of Rs 27.31 crore in Q3 2019 as compared to profit after tax of Rs 25.82 crore in Q3 2018. Calculated consolidated simple EBITDA for Q3 2019 was an operating loss of Rs 26.18 crore as compared to a consolidated operating loss of Rs 7.5 crore in Q3 2018.

    Total expenditure for the quarter under review was 66.1 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 126.92 crore as compared to Rs 76.4 crore in Q3 2018. Cost of production/ acquisition and telecast fees in the quarter at Rs 95.95 crore was 26.6 percent higher y-o-y as compared to Rs 75.77 crore in Q3 2018. Marketing expenses increased 53.5 percent y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 10.74 crore from Rs 7 crore. Employee benefits expense in Q3 2019 increased to more than double – (increased by 107.2 percent) to Rs 14.25 crore from Rs 6.87 crore. Other expenses in Q3 2019 declined 18.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 9.83 crore from Rs 12.08 crore.

  • WITH 18 NEW ORIGINAL LAUNCHES AND NEW ASSOCIATIONS ALTBALAJI ENDS 2018 ON A HIGH NOTE

    WITH 18 NEW ORIGINAL LAUNCHES AND NEW ASSOCIATIONS ALTBALAJI ENDS 2018 ON A HIGH NOTE

    MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, one of the leading OTT platforms under the brand Balaji Telefilms Limited, has witnessed remarkable growth in 2018. With mass engaging content to the most riveting shows, the platform has emerged as the fastest growing and most talked about OTT platform in India. This year saw, the digital platform launch 18 new shows entertaining millions across the country. Awarded as the ITA Premier Web Channel award this year, ALTBalaji established its lead in the pack with the most-binged original series over the year in addition to winning other accolades. 

    While 2018 was the year of experimentation with highly-acclaimed shows like The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family (TGIDF), The Test Case and Home, ALTBalaji’s subscriber base grew pan-India with viewers enjoying a wide range of shows. Distinctive content in the series like ‘Broken but Beautiful’ and ‘Apharan’ have not only struck the right chords for their coming of age concepts but have also recorded higher viewership and top ratings of 8.8/10 and 9.2/10 on IMDb respectively. Other shows like ‘XXX: Uncensored’ and ‘KehneKoHumsafar Hain’ scored the highest completion rates. On an average, ALTBalaji’s subscribers have spent 77 minutes daily watching these shows. Shows like Home, The Test Case and TGIDF have not only won hearts of the audiences but also garnered rave reviews from the likes of Rajeev Masand, Mayank Shekhar, Rahul Desai and many more.

    Here’s are 2018’s top binge watch shows ofALTBalaji:

    Apharan: As the show title suggests, it is all about an ‘Apharan’ (kidnapping) that goes wrong. What makes this show a standout is the fact that top cop Rudra Srivastava is forced into kidnapping a girl at her own behest, and nothing goes to plan. He finds himself in a web of lies with a lot at stake. Set in the heartland of the country, the thriller truly enthralled the audience with its 70’s style masala entertainment and its upbeat retro music.
    IMDB Rating: 9.2/10

    Broken But Beautiful: When two broken hearts, Veer and Sameera are brought together by chance, sparks fly. The two get involved in a journey that requires them to accept how broken they are and how two broken pieces can probably belong together.  
    IMDB Rating: 8.8/10

    The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family: General VikramjeetRanuat looks forward to a quiet life with his family post his accident while serving at the border. However, the re-entry of his separated brother and sister-in-law into his life changes the trajectory of his plans.
    IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 

    The Test Case: Captain Shikha Sharma gears up to serve as the first female test case in combat. The series beautifully captures her struggles and challenges and encapsulates women-power in the true sense of the term.
    IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

    Home: The series is all about a beautiful family, the Sethis, who believe in loving one another dearly. However, they are faced with a mammoth challenge with they are served with an eviction notice. The heart-warming show features a man’s fight to save his own home.
    IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

    GandiiBaat: The power-packed show has it all – the crime, the twisted relationships and erotic content. The trifecta makes this show a great tale of how crossing the fine line of going to any lengths to fulfill desire comes with its own consequences.
    IMDB Rating: 5.0 /10

    Haq Se: A modern-day story that chronicles the lives of four sisters against the backdrop of theunrest in Kashmir. It is a tale of the sisters seeking happiness and fulfillment in their lives and wanting to trulyfollow their dreams and passion. This also marked the digital debute of Rajeev Khandelwal. 
    IMDB Rating: 8.3 /10

    Hum: I am because of Us: Nothing compares to you sisters always having your back and that is the bond that the three sisters share. However, their relationship is put to test when the three arrive in the burgeoning metro of Mumbai to live their passion and follow their ambitions.
    IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

    With an end to a magnificent year, ALTBalaji has a highly anticipated line-up for 2019 across diverse genres with originals like GandiiBaat 2, KehneKoHumsafar Hain 2, Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala, Puncchbeat, The Verdict State Vs Nanavati and Cartel. Audiences are surely going to be entertained by a content library that is not only varied but new and captivating as well.

    ALTBalaji’s original content is available in four Indian languages which includes Hindi, Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam. Additionally it is also available in Malaysia Bahasa, Indonesia Bahasa and Arabic languages. With several strategic associations, ALTBalaji’s shows can be viewed on Amazon Fire TV stick, OLA Play, LG Smart TVs using WebOS , the MI TV Patchwall in addition to the OTT services’ mobile apps and desktop platform. Viewers can also avail the app on 5 different devices in order to make it enjoyable for the entire family.
     

  • Balaji Telefilms reports higher programming hours and better realisation

    Balaji Telefilms reports higher programming hours and better realisation

    BENGALURU: The Ektaa Kapoor-led Balaji Telefilms Ltd reported a consolidated profit from continuing operations of Rs 7.1 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2018 (Q2 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared to a loss of Rs 22 crore for Q2 2018 and a loss of Rs 0.6 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company reported 13 percent higher quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) television content production hours or (commissioned programs segment) and a 17 percent improvement in realisation per hour for the period under review as compared to the immediate trailing quarter Q1 2019. The company produced 193 hours of commissioned television content in Q2 2019 as compared to 170.5 hours in Q1 2019. The company had produced 240 hours of commissioned television content in Q1 2018.

    Balaji Telefilms said that realisation per hour of commissioned television content during the quarter under review was almost Rs 0.4 crore as compared to about Rs 0.34 crore in Q1 2019 and Rs 0.32 crore in Q2 2018.

    Segment numbers

    The company has three segments – commissioned programs, films and digital.

    Revenue from the commissioned programs segment increased 7.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 88.41 crore during the quarter under review from Rs 82.31 crore in Q2 2018 and 26.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 70.01 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. Operating profit from the commissioned programs segment was Rs 13.25 crore in Q2 2019 as compared to Rs 10.53 crore in Q2 2018 and an operating loss of Rs 2.10 crore in Q1 2019.

    Revenue from Balaji Telefilms' films segment in Q2 2019 reduced 17 percent y-o-y to Rs 25.33 crore from Rs 30.76 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and reduced 62.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 68.04 crore in Q1 2019. Operating profit from the films segment was Rs 1.03 crore in Q2 2019 as compared to an operating profit of Rs 6.02 crore in Q2 2018 and an operating profit of Rs 9.56 crore in Q1 2019. The company had released one film in Q1 2019 and hence the increased numbers.

    Balaji Telefilms' OTT platform ALTBalaji or digital segment reported more than ten-fold increase in revenue at Rs 14.28 crore as compared to Rs 1.23 crore in Q2 2018 and Rs 5.78 crore in Q1 2019. The segment’s operating loss reduced to Rs 11.16 crore during the period under review as compared to an operating loss of Rs 20.29 crore in Q2 2018 and an operating loss of Rs 16.28 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Balaji Telefilms' consolidated revenue from operations in Q1 2019 increased 8.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 119.07 crore as compared to Rs 109.78 crore in Q2 2018, but reduced 3.5 percent q-o-q from Rs 123.44 crore in Q1 2019. Consolidated total revenue in Q2 2019 increased 9.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 128.02 crore from Rs 116.57 crore, but reduced marginally by 0.7 percent q-o-q from Rs 128.86 crore. Consolidated loss in Q2 2019 was slightly higher at Rs 15.44 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 13.84 crore, but was far lower than the Rs 27.03 crore in Q1 2019.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji Telefilms

    Balaji Telefilms reported 13.8 percent y-o-y increase in total expenditure in Q2 2019 at Rs 142.48 crore from Rs 125.19 crore in Q2 2018. Cost of production/ acquisition and telecast fees increased 1.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 98.57 crore from Rs 97.11 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal but was 13.6 percent lower q-o-q than the Rs 114.09 crore in Q1 2019. Employee benefits expense in Q2 2019 increased 55.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 13.08 crore from Rs 8.42 crore in Q2 2018 and increased 45 percent q-o-q from Rs 9.02 crore in Q1 2019.

    Other expenses reduced 11.2 percent y-o-y in Q2 2019 to Rs 12.74 crore from Rs 13.76 crore in Q2 2018 and reduced 7.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 13.76 crore in Q1 2019. Marketing and distribution expense in Q2 2019 increased 43.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 11.16 crore from Rs 7.76 crore in Q2 2018, but reduced 13.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 12.88 crore in Q1 2019.

  • Tax adjustments bring Balaji Telefilms’ Q3 numbers back in the black

    Tax adjustments bring Balaji Telefilms’ Q3 numbers back in the black

    BENGALURU: Tax adjustments of Rs 31.38 crore returned consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 24.82 crore for Balaji Telefilms Ltd (Balaji Telefilms) for the quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3 2018, the quarter under review). The company had reported consolidated net loss after tax of Rs 1.86 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter (Q3 2017) and net loss of Rs 13.84 crore for the immediate trailing quarter (Q2 2018). The company reported operating loss (negative EBITDA) of Rs 7.08 crore in Q3 2018 as compared with operating loss of Rs 10.58 crore in Q3 2017.

    Overall, the company reported higher realisation per programming hour of Rs 0.33 crore for Q3 2017 as against Rs 0.32 crore in Q2 2018. However, due to a 32 per cent year-on-year (yoy) decline and a 25 per cent quarter-on-quarter (qoq) decline in commissioned programmes, the company’s segment revenue decreased. Along with declines in its films and digital segments, Balaji’s consolidated revenue for the quarter under review declined to half yoy to Rs 65.15 crore as against Rs 130.37 crore.

    Segment Revenue

    Balaji Telefilms has three segments–commissioned programmes (CP), films and digital.

    Revenue from CP declined by 17 per cent yoy in Q3 2018 to Rs 69.47 crore from Rs 83.74 crore. CP reported 44.7 per cent higher yoy operating profit of Rs 16.59 crore for Q3 2018 as compared with Rs 11.47 crore. The film segment revenue in the quarter under review declined by 95.6 per cent yoy to Rs 0.85 crore from Rs 19.20 crore. The segment reported lower operating yoy loss of Rs 0.28 crore in Q3 2018 as against Rs 0.51 crore in Q3 2017. Balaji Telefilms’ digital segment (aka ALTBalaji) reported revenue of Rs 1.14 crore for Q3 2018 as against nil in Q3 2017. The segment’s operating loss more than doubled yoy to Rs 8.15 crore in Q3 2018 to Rs 8.76 crore from operating loss of Rs 4.35 crore.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Balaji Telefilms

    Balaji Telefilms’ total expenditure for Q3 2018 reduced by 25.8 per cent yoy to Rs 76.40 crore from Rs 102.98 crore. Cost of production/acquisition and telecast fees in the current quarter reduced by 2.16 per cent yoy to Rs 75.77 crore from Rs 77.37 crore. Employee benefits expense in Q3 2018 increased by 3.7 per cent yoy to Rs 6.87 crore from Rs 6.63 crore. Marketing and distribution expense in the quarter under review increased by yoy to Rs 7 crore from Rs 0.2 crore. Other expenses grew by 27.8 per cent yoy to Rs 12.08 crore from Rs 9.46 crore.