ITV

Tag: cable TV

  • GTPL Hathway aims high with headend-in-the-sky launch in FY26

    GTPL Hathway aims high with headend-in-the-sky launch in FY26

    MUMBAI: Two companies have tried to deliver TV signals via this mode. One of them- Jain headend in the sky (Hits)  was too early – and had to be put to rest. The second -Nxt Digital from the Hinduja group – has only been able to take it a certain distance.  Now a third player is getting into the Hits game: the  Anirudhsinh Jadeja-headed  cable TV and broadband MSO GTPL Hathway.

    Speaking at the investor call after the declaration of its third quarter FY25  financials last week, GTPL Hathway business head B2B &  chief strategy officer Piyush Pankaj  admitted this while responding to a question from an analyst.

    Said he: “..we  are going to change the delivery technology which we are going on. I will talk about that in Q4, much in the Q4 as we are changing it from the fiber to satellite which we are doing right now going on to the Hits, but I will talk about the Hits in the next quarter and how it is going to give us the company the access to all over India, what are going to be main targets on that, how we are going to increase our subscriber base, how it is going to affect our costing and what the positive impact is going to happen on that. That is what we are going to give you in Q4. We are trying to launch that in FY26 this Hits and it is going to be very positive for the company.”

    Pankaj added that government clearances from some of its departments are pending  and the company was in the process of fulfilling  some of the licence obligations from the ministry of information and broadcasting.

    The company has already taken loans for the Hits project  and it is almost 80 per cent complete on the capex side, Pankaj  revealed. “We are just looking forward that by next quarter the whole project will be completed and we will be ready to launch,” he said. 

    Going by the fact that it has emerged as the largest active subscriber cable TV company  in the country, it is in the realms of possibility that its Hits project could well go on to be a major hit with customers. 

  • GTPL: Investing in Q3 FY 2025 for growth

    GTPL: Investing in Q3 FY 2025 for growth

    MUMBAI: It has been a challenging year for the cable TV industry, with increasing pressure on their broadband operations from wireless operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vi. Cord-cutting continues to grow, alongside the rise of cord-nevers. This trend is likely to be reflected in the financial results of listed MSOs and DTH operators.
    Some of these challenges are evident in the results of one of India’s top MSOs, GTPL Hathway, although the company is investing for growth.

    The Anirudhsinh Jadeja-led group reported a 7.64 per cent growth in revenue for the third quarter ended 31 December 2024, reaching Rs 565.16 crore, compared to Rs 521.69 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. The company spent Rs 14.93 crore on the purchase of project material (nil in Q3 ended 31 December 2023). Operating expenses rose significantly to Rs 441.70 crore (Rs 364.22 crore), while finance costs increased to Rs 6.6 crore (Rs 4.4 crore). These higher costs impacted the profit before exceptional items and tax (PBEIT), which declined to Rs 14.24 crore (Rs 25.91 crore).

    Despite a lower tax outgo of Rs 3.58 crore (Rs 13.83 crore), net profit fell to Rs 10.66 crore (Rs 19.13 crore). Total comprehensive income also decreased to Rs 10.69 crore (Rs 19.21 crore).

    The company declared in its investor presentation that its active cable TV subscribers and paying subscribers were at 9.6 million and 8.9 million in Q3 FY25 as against 9.4 million  and 8.7 million in Q3FY24 respectively. Its subscription income from CATV fell six per cent in Q3FY25 to Rs 211.2 crore (Rs 225.1 crore in Q3FY24), while its placement income rose 21 per cent to Rs 308 crore (Rs 254.2 crore in Q3FY24).

    Its content costs climbed 14 per cent  to Rs 382.4 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs 335.1 crore. GTPL Hathway’s EBITDA fell 14 per cent to Rs 65.4 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs Rs 75.7 crore in Q3FY24. 

    On the broadband front, its active subscriber base at 1,042,000  in Q3 FY25 showed an increase of 37,000 over the previous year’s corresponding quarters. Average revenue per user too rose by Rs 5 to Rs 465 in the same period. Its home passes were higher by 350,000 touching 5.95 million by 31 December 2024. 

    On a nine-month basis ending 31 December 2024, GTPL Hathway reported total income of Rs 1653.37 crore, up from Rs 1545.56 crore in the same period the previous year. However, expenditure on project material rose to Rs 21.70 crore (Rs 0 in the previous year’s comparative period). Higher operating expenses at Rs 1196.57 crore (Rs 1087.1 crore) and increased finance costs (Rs 15.61 crore vs Rs 11.55 crore) led to a lower PBEIT of Rs 53.48 crore (Rs 90.07 crore). Net profit after tax fell to Rs 39.65 crore, compared to Rs 66.29 crore.

    During the current quarter, GTPL sold its entire 61 per cent  equity stake (12,200 shares) in its subsidiary GTPL Bansidhar Telelink for Rs 0.12 million. Additionally, it entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire the remaining 49 per cent stake (1,00,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each) in its subsidiary GTPL Vision Services from existing shareholders for Rs 1131 per share, totaling Rs 113.10 million.

    The company clarified that revenue from operations includes projects executed by the group, amounting to Rs 7.6 crore for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2024, compared to Rs 41.64 crore for the same periods in the previous year and the year ended 31 March 2024.

  • Sony exec Vikram Vijay Chandan turns author with Love Life and Cricket

    Sony exec Vikram Vijay Chandan turns author with Love Life and Cricket

    MUMBAI: When you have been distributing sports channels for more than 20 years as a TV distribution executive, it gives you a first-hand look at the game of cricket than possible otherwise. And that’s what’s prompted Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India vice-president of sales Vikram Vijay Chandan to pen a book about the sport and its applicability to life.

    Called Love Life and Cricket, the book has made its debut on Amazon.  The cricket-mad Vikram has been podcasting about cricket for a while now and draws parallels between life and the game in every situation. He penned the book over four years, while holding his day job at Sony, meeting cable operators and executives at DTH platform doing deals to carry the Sony sports channels.

    “This book is a culmination of my journey, experiences and learnings around the game I love,” said he on linkedin. “Cricket, often referred to as a religion in India, is more than just a game. It’s a reflection of life itself. Just as cricket has its ups and downs, life too has its share of triumphs and tribulations. Love, in its purest form, is the glue that holds relationships together. Just as a batsman and bowler engage in a beautiful dance, love is the harmony that exists between two people.In cricket, every ball is a new opportunity, just like every day in life. We must seize each moment, just as a fielder seizes a catch, and make the most of it.
    As we navigate the ups and downs of life, cricket reminds us of the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship. And just as love conquers all, cricket too has the power to unite people across cultures and borders.So, let’s cherish the love, live life to the fullest, and enjoy the game of cricket – for in its simplicity lies a profound beauty that reflects the very essence of human existence.”

    Based in Gurugram, Vikram has also been expressing his thoughts and views about action on the ground through his Instagram handle and his opinions have got more than 20 million views.

    Love Life and Cricket has been published by Beeja House which is run by the mentor of writers Geetika Saigal.  

    You can get onto Amazon and buy your copy by clicking on the link: Love Life and Cricket
     

  • 2024 The year that was – Convergence redefines India’s media landscape

    2024 The year that was – Convergence redefines India’s media landscape

    MUMBAI: As 2024 draws to a close, India’s media and entertainment sector has undergone a profound transformation, reshaping how content is created, distributed, monetised and consumed. The industry’s trajectory is no longer defined by linear growth but by convergence – a blending of formats, technologies, and audience experiences. This article explores the standout trends of 2024 that have positioned India at the forefront of the global media revolution. 

    The Rise of Unified Media Ecosystems 

    In 2024, the fragmentation of content across platforms prompted a surge in unified media ecosystems. Major players integrated cable, satellite, and OTT services into seamless bundles. Partnerships like those between Tata Play and JioCinema offered consumers a singular subscription covering live TV, streaming, and interactive content. The merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema under the JioStar brand will further demonstrate this trend, combining Disney’s extensive content library with Jio’s robust technological and distribution infrastructure.  

    These developments addressed subscription fatigue by offering cost-effective and convenient bundled services. As telcos and streaming players increasingly leaned towards unified offerings, the next pivotal step emerged – creating singular OTT platforms to integrate multiple streaming services under one roof. Scalable and modular architectures have become essential, enabling flexibility and customisation to accommodate evolving service bundles and diverse consumer preferences. This shift underscores the industry’s adaptability in meeting the complex demands of modern consumers. 

    Sports Broadcasting Reinvented 

    India’s sports media landscape saw unprecedented innovation in 2024. Beyond traditional cricket broadcasts, kabaddi, football, and esports embraced hybrid delivery models. Augmented reality (AR) features allowed fans to experience matches with real-time statistics and dynamic visuals, while 5G-enabled immersive experiences brought stadium energy into living rooms. 

    Regional sports leagues also thrived by leveraging vernacular commentary and localised marketing, broadening their appeal and strengthening connections with diverse audiences. These efforts not only amplified audience engagement but also positioned regional sports as valuable contributors to India’s overall sports media ecosystem. 

    AI, Advertising, and Live Commerce Converge 

     Artificial intelligence, innovative advertising, and live commerce emerged as interconnected forces shaping the media landscape in 2024. AI-driven personalisation powered hyper-targeted recommendations and dynamic content delivery, tailoring experiences to individual, regional, or similar preferences. This capability extended into advertising, where AI analytics enabled micro-segmentation and dynamic ad formats. Brands also experimented with shoppable media embedded directly into OTT platforms, allowing users to interact with ads and make purchases seamlessly. 

    Live commerce further transformed engagement by integrating real-time shopping into live events. Cricket telecasts, for instance, featured exclusive merchandise drops available for purchase during key moments. Platforms with modular architectures and seamless third-party integrations supported these innovations, unlocking new revenue streams and enhancing viewer interactivity. These advancements reflect a significant evolution in how audiences engage with content and commerce simultaneously. 
     

    Deltatre

     Content Without Borders 

     In 2024, Indian content flourished on the global stage. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video promoted Indian originals, while regional OTT platforms expanded into south Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This cross-border success highlighted the universal appeal of culturally rich narratives. 

    International co-productions became more common, with Indian creators collaborating with global studios. Flexible monetisation models, including ad-supported, subscription-based, and hybrid offerings, enabled experimentation and growth, allowing platforms to cater to diverse audience needs. This trend underscores the global demand for authentic storytelling and India’s role as a leading content powerhouse. 

    Collaborative Ventures and Audience Co-Creation Redefine Engagement 

    Collaborative ventures between creators, platforms, and brands surged in 2024. Co-productions between Indian and international studios introduced fresh storytelling perspectives, while brands acted as content producers, funding original series that aligned with their ethos. 

    Audiences also became active contributors, engaging in interactive storytelling, user-generated content campaigns, and fan-led initiatives. This participatory approach fostered loyalty and transformed viewers into brand advocates. Platforms embracing flexible monetisation strategies and modular architectures capitalised on this trend, delivering sustainable revenue through community-driven content models. Such initiatives highlighted the importance of deeper connections between creators and audiences in driving content innovation. 

    Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond 

    As we step into 2025, the role of technology in shaping India’s media landscape cannot be overstated. Scalable, modular platforms will be critical in enabling media companies to grow and adapt without overhauling their infrastructure.  

    These technological advancements will not only enable cost-effective scaling but also foster innovation, allowing the industry to explore new content formats, distribution models, and audience engagement strategies. 

    India’s media and entertainment sector is poised to lead the way in leveraging technology for inclusivity and innovation. By embracing modularity, scalability, and flexibility, stakeholders can address the complexities of a rapidly evolving market, ensuring sustained growth and global relevance. 

    The author is country manager India, Deltatre.

    (The picture  for this article featured on Indiantelevison.com’s home page was generated using Microsoft’s AI Image generator. No copyright infringement is intended)

  • Hathway Cable & Datacom acquires 61.15 per cent shares of its Nanded subsidiary

    Hathway Cable & Datacom acquires 61.15 per cent shares of its Nanded subsidiary

    MUMBAI: It’s acquisition  and consolidation time in cable TV land. Multisystem operator Hathway Cable & Datacom informed the BSE on 27 November 2024 that it had acquired the balance 61.15 per cent  equity stake ( 20,54,832)  equity shares from the existing shareholders (including Hathway MCN Pvt Ltd  – a Hathway offshoot) of Hathway Cable MCN Nanded Pvt Ltd  (“Hathway Nanded”), a subsidiary of the company for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs. 11 (Rupees eleven only). 

    The acquisition of equity shares is for consolidation of business operations. Post-acquisition, Hathway Nanded has now become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hathway Cable & Datacom.  

    Hathway Nanded, incorporated in India on 11 March 2008, runs cable TV operations and has a presence in Nanded, Maharashtra. It had a turnover of Rs 5.58 crore in FY 2023-2024, Rs 7.08 crore in FY 2022-2023 and Rs 8.79 crore in FY 2021-2022.  

    It informed the stock exchange that one of the transferors (out of eleven), namely  Hathway MCN Pvt Ltd, is a related party of Hathway Cable  and the acquisition is on an arm’s length basis. None of the company’s promoter / promoter group / other group companies have any interest in the above transaction.  No governmental or regulatory approvals were required for the acquisition.

     

  • Hathway Cable Q2 FY2025: Revenues rise, profits too

    Hathway Cable Q2 FY2025: Revenues rise, profits too

    MUMBAI: The cable TV sector is under pressure in India is known to many and  a lot has been written about the rampant cord cutters and cord-nevers. But this is one multisystem operator which seems to be bucking the trend – the Reliance Industries-owned Hathway Cable & Datacom. 

    At least that’s the first perception you get when you look at its financials for Q2FY2025 ended 30 September 2024, which were filed with the Bombay stock exchange on 11 October.

    Revenue from operations is up to Rs 5127.4 million as against Rs 4837.9 million in the previous year’s corresponding quarter. Profit before tax  is at Rs 398.8 million compared to Rs 339.3 million (Q2 FY 2024). Net profit too has  risen to Rs 257.8 million (Rs 200.3 million) a 28.4 per cent increase. EBITDA during the quarter showed a bit of an uptick at Rs 859.9 million (Rs 826.3 million).

    The company’s revenue from the broadband business for H1 FY2025 ended 30 September has slipped to Rs 3027.8 million (Rs  3132.2 million), even as it has risen for its cable TV business to  Rs 6801.5 million (Rs 6698 million).

    On a quarterly basis for Q2 FY2025  there has been a drop in its broadband revenues to Rs 1515.9 million (Rs 1564.6 million in Q2FY 2024) while cable TV has shown an increase to Rs 3440.1 million (Rs 3273.3 million). However, margins seem to be getting squeezed in both these segments with its cable TV business turning up negative segment results at Rs 143.2 million (negative Rs 138.1 million in Q2 FY2024). Its broadband segment too has reported  lower results  at Rs 56 million (Rs  115.8 million). 

     

    Picture courtesy Hathway Cable & Datacom Annual Report
     

  • Den Networks: Profitability rises; revenues drop in Q2 FY 2025

    Den Networks: Profitability rises; revenues drop in Q2 FY 2025

    MUMBAI: National multisystem operator Den Networks has reported a drop in revenues in Q2 FY 2025 ended 30 September 2024, even as its profitability has improved as compared to year ago same period on a consolidated basis.

    In regulatory filings with the Bombay stock exchange (BSE), DEN declared Rs 2490.80 million in operating revenue as against an operating revenue of Rs 2766.13 million in the year ago Q2 period. That is a drop of around 9.95 per cent. Its subscription revenue too saw a dip to Rs 1210 million from Rs 1460 million in the same year-ago period. EBITDA plunged 35 per cent to Rs 280 million in Q2FY2024 as compared to Rs 430 million in Q2FY 2024.

    Unlike GTPL Hathway which reported a drop in its net profit, DEN Networks said its net profit rose 13.94 per cent to Rs 520.5 million in  Q2 FY 2025 as against Rs 456.8 million in the quarter ended 30  September 2023. Its

    On a half yearly basis ended 30 September 2024, the company’s total consolidated revenue crashed to Rs 4966.08 million as against Rs 5497.94 million in the half year ended 30 September 2023. Its profit after tax for the latest H1 FY 2025 period rose to Rs 949.40 million as against Rs 878.85 million in H1 FY2023.Its operating profit  before working capital changes fell to Rs 465.74 million from Rs 589.15 million. The cash the company generated from operations nosedived to Rs 222.69 million (Rs 677.28 million).

    Den Networks’  share price was shaved by 47 paise to close at Rs 51.75 at the end of trading.

     

  • TRAI releases TV, cable TV, DTH data for June 2024 quarter

    TRAI releases TV, cable TV, DTH data for June 2024 quarter

    MUMBAI: Industry watchdog the Telecom Regulatory Authority  of India (TRAI) released its quarterly Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report yesterday  for the quarter ending 30 June 2024 which is compiled by collecting information from service providers. And there are no real surprises as far as broadcasters and DPOs are concerned.

    The report has revealed that 912 satellite channels have been allowed to uplink/downlink/do both by the ministry of information & broadcasting as of 30 June 2024. This compare to 924  private satellite TV channels which had got permission in end March 2024 and 903 in end June 2023.  So, it appears there has been a drop in permitted channels. Of these 912, 902 are available for downlinking in India. 362 of the 902 channels are pay TV channels as of end June 2024, while the rest are free to air. There has been not much of a growth in terms of HD services with the figure hovering around the 103 channel mark for the past many quarters; the number stands at 103 HD channels in end June 2024. The SD channels too have stayed put at the 255-259 mark; with the latest number being 259.

    199 of the SD channels are priced between between less than Rs 1 and Rs 12, while 37 HD channels are priced in that range. 42 SD channels and 54 HD channels are priced at Rs 19 and just two SD channels and five HD channels are priced more than Rs 19. So much for the watchdog’s fears that broadcast networks would price their channels too high.

    The largest genre of pay TV channels is represented by general entertainment channels which is at 115 followed by movies with 72 and news & current affairs which has 65 pay channels.

     

    On the DPO side, TRAI  has reported that 11 MSOs and 1 HITS operator have more than a million subs as of end June 2024. 

    Active DTH subs have expanded to 62.17 million as against 61.97 in end March 2024.  

  • GTPL Hathway: net profit plummets, revenue rises nine per cent in Q2 FY 2025

    GTPL Hathway: net profit plummets, revenue rises nine per cent in Q2 FY 2025

    MUMBAI: Ahmedabad-hqed GTPL Hathway Ltd’s results for Q2 FY 2025 ended on 30 September 2024 are a bit of a mixed bag, according to the company’s filings with the Bombay stock exchange.

    Total consolidated income rose nine per cent to Rs 8,620 million as against Rs 7,900 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net profit however plunged 62 per cent at Rs 129 million as against Rs 344 million (Q2 FY2024). EBITDA for Q2 FY25 stood at Rs 1,138 million (Rs 1,351 million); EDITDA margin was at 13.2 per cent (17.1 per cent), operating EBITDA margin was at 22 per cent (25.2 per cent).

    GTPL Hathway’s active digital cable TV subscribers rose by 100,000 over the previous year’s corresponding quarter to touch 9.50 million, even as paying subscribers rose by a similar number reaching  8.80 million.

    Its broadband subs also jumped by 50,000 to get to 1.04 million with home passes standing at 5.95 million, a pole vault of 400,000 year on year.  Of the 5.95 million, 75 per cent are FTTX conversion ready, the MSO says. Average revenue per user for broadband stood at a chunky Rs 460 while data consumption per user was 350 GB per month, an increment of 13 per cent year on year.

    According to GTP Hathway managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja what helped the cable TV MSO retain its no 1 position as the largest operator in the country in Q2 2025 is its sharp focus on innovation and enhancing customer experience. 

    Anubhai (as he is called in the trade) added: “Broadband business is witnessing healthy subscriber growth, propelled by both direct customer additions and with strategic use of our extensive partner network to expand. In the cable business, our efforts are focused on growing our subscriber base through a mix of organic growth and industry consolidation via acquisitions of existing operators and MSOs. This dual strategy strengthens our market position and builds on our success.”

    He explained that the company added the customer app GTPL Buzz, relaunched its website (gtpl.net), introduced TV everywhere, Blacknut cloud gaming, Distro TV, while integrating its AI-enabled app Giva for sales as well as support during the quarter.

    “These customer touchpoints have been designed for a consistent user experience and to deliver seamless interaction across platforms and devices,” said Anubhai.

    GTPL’s shares rose Rs 2.65 to end the day at Rs165.65.

  • West Bengal cable TV operators raise tariffs by 5-10 per cent: PTI report

    West Bengal cable TV operators raise tariffs by 5-10 per cent: PTI report

    MUMBAI: Cable TV operators have increased customer tariffs by five to 10 per cent, according to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) referring to the state of west Bengal.

    Quoting various cable TV network owners in Kolkata, the report revealed that the price hike was enforced on the fraternity, courtesy the rise in content costs demanded by broadcasters in August. The PTI report further stated that the cable TV ecosystem was trying to find a balance between rising costs and not put the entire burden on the end customer at home. 

    Meghbela Broadband co-founder Tapabrata Mukherjee was quoted as saying that his network has not yet raised customer prices as it has been absorbing costs for the past two months. 

    “We can no longer sustain it,” he told  PTI. “On an average, we will raise tariffs by five to six per cent, though other broadcasters have hiked rates by more than 10 per cent, and in some cases, by as much as 20 per cent.”

    India Cablenet Co director Suresh Sethia informed  PTI that SitiCable’s minimal tariff hike is a strategy to compete with mobile users who prefer short-form content on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. The network has also launched Tubers TV, allowing users to submit short-form content up to eight minutes long, which has gained popularity.

    “Our price hike ranges between 5-10 per cent across different packages,” Sethia explained. “Overall, cable connections in Bengal have decreased to around 68 lakh from one crore four years ago.”

    That’s a challenge, that pay TV distribution faces nationally.