ITV

Tag: FY25

  • Bright Outdoor outdoes itself in FY25

    Bright Outdoor outdoes itself in FY25

    MUMBAI: The lights are definitely on and someone’s at home at Bright Outdoor Media. India’s first listed out-of-home advertising firm has delivered a corker of a year, with total income soaring 19 per cent to Rs 128 crore and net profit jumping nearly 19 per cent to Rs 19 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2025.

    The numbers tell a gleaming story. Earnings per share climbed to Rs 13.11 from Rs 11.45, whilst EBITDA expanded a healthy 18 per cent to Rs 27 crore. The second half proved particularly bright, with income surging 22 per cent half-on-half to Rs 70 crore—suggesting the company’s momentum is accelerating rather than dimming.

    For a firm that started life in 1980 flogging billboard space, Bright Outdoor has certainly illuminated its path to prosperity. The Mumbai-based outfit now commands over 400 hoardings nationwide, including a hefty chunk of the city’s 85 large digital LED displays. That’s no small feat in a market where prime real estate comes at a premium and visibility is everything.

    The company’s recent coups read like a property developer’s wishlist. Bright Outdoor has bagged exclusive advertising rights for the entire Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1—a decade-long deal covering 85,000 square feet of prime eyeball territory. Not content with underground domination, it also secured a seven-year contract with Western Railways, adding another 17,555 square feet of high-visibility real estate to its empire.

    Chairman & managing director Yogesh Lakhani is clearly more than pleased with the results. His company has been on a billboard-buying spree, unveiling 13 new LED displays across Mumbai’s most coveted spots—from the Goregaon flyover to the Eastern Express Highway. The digital expansion adds 12,569 square feet of advertising space to Bright’s already impressive portfolio.

    Shareholders have reason to smile beyond the robust financials. The board has recommended a five per cent dividend (Rs 0.50 per share) and proposed a generous 1:2 bonus issue—one free share for every two held. It’s a clear signal that management believes the good times will keep rolling.

    The outdoor advertising market has been riding high on India’s economic growth and urbanisation boom. Digital displays, in particular, have become the new battleground as advertisers seek more dynamic, targeted campaigns. Bright Outdoor’s focus on high-traffic transit corridors and tech-savvy solutions appears to be paying dividends—quite literally.

    From cinema slides to full train wraps, the company’s diverse offerings have attracted over 5,000 corporate clients and facilitated campaigns for more than 200,000 movies, TV shows and events. Its claim to fame includes being the first globally to install solar panels on hoardings, supplying electricity back to Indian Railways—proof that being green can indeed mean more greenbacks.

    Trading on the BSE SME platform since March 2023, Bright Outdoor has certainly lived up to its billing as a “game changer” in the IPO landscape. With urban India’s appetite for advertising showing no signs of dimming, this billboard baron looks set to keep the lights on—and the profits flowing.

  • Zee Entertainment wraps FY25 with a bang

    Zee Entertainment wraps FY25 with a bang

    MUMBAI:  Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has closed its financial year on a high note, reporting a 32 per cent rise in EBITDA to Rs 11,962 million for FY25, powered by sharp cost control and solid performance across its digital and television businesses. The company’s board has recommended a dividend of Rs 2.43 per equity share of Re 1, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.

    Zee’s traditional TV business held its ground, maintaining a stable 16.8 per cent share of the Indian TV network viewership, even as sports broadcasts slightly ate into general entertainment viewership. Notably, Zeel’s regional channels — Zee Marathi, Zee Kannada, and Zee Telugu — emerged as strong performers.

    On the digital front, Zeel’s streaming platform Zee5 recorded a six per cent year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching Rs 9,760 million in FY25. Even more impressive was the platform’s ability to rein in losses, slashing its EBITDA losses by Rs 5,572 million over the year. Zee5’s growth was fuelled by 20 new original titles, which helped it maintain user engagement despite a challenging digital ad market.

    Zee Studios had a busy quarter, releasing eight films across Hindi and regional languages, bolstering its presence in the domestic film market. Meanwhile, Zee Music Co (ZMC) continued its YouTube dominance, reaching 164 million subscribers with a whopping 190 billion views in FY25. ZMC added 14.7 million new subscribers during the year, solidifying its position as the second-largest music label on YouTube.

    Zee’s financials reflected strong cost discipline. Total revenue for FY25 stood at Rs 82,941 million, with an EBITDA margin of 14.4 per cent — a 390 basis point increase from FY24. Profit after tax (PAT) from continuing operations surged by 245 per cent to Rs 6,874 million, a testament to the company’s focus on profitability.

    The balance sheet looked rock-solid with cash and cash equivalents swelling to Rs 24.1 billion by March 2025, including Rs 2 billion from the first tranche of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB). The company’s net profit for the year came in at Rs 6,795 million, a massive 381 per cent jump over FY24.

    * Operating revenue for FY25: Rs 82,941 million, down four per cent YoY due to advertising pressure.
    * Expenditure fell by eight per cent to Rs 70,979 million, reflecting strong cost control.
    * EBITDA for FY25 rose to Rs 11,962 million, with a margin of 14.4 per cent, up 390 bps YoY.
    * Profit before tax (PBT) from continuing operations surged 143 per cent to Rs 9,261 million.
    * Zee’s all-India TV network share: 16.8 per cent, marginally down by 30 basis points YoY.
    * Regional powerhouses included Zee Marathi, Zee Kannada, and Zee Telugu.
    * TV revenues saw a mixed bag, with advertising under pressure but subscription and syndication revenue offering a cushion.
    * Zee5 revenue: Rs 9,760 million, up 6 per cent YoY.
    * EBITDA losses cut by Rs 5,572 million in FY25.
    * Original content: 20 new titles, driving user engagement.
    * Syndication revenue provided an additional boost.
    * Zee Studios: Eight films released in Q4 FY25 across Hindi and regional languages.
    * Notable releases included Chirodini Tumi Je Amar (Zee Bangla), Naa Ninna Bidalaare  (Zee Kannada), Lakshmi Nivasam (Zee Telugu), and Gatti Melam (Zee Tamil).
    * Zee Studios maintained its focus on a balanced mix of in-house and distributed titles.
    * ZMC: Total subscribers: 164 million across all channels, up 14.7 million YoY.
    * Total video views: 190 billion in FY25.
    * ZMC remains the second-largest music label on YouTube globally.

  • Swiggy’s awe striking revenue surge feeds growth, but losses deepen

    Swiggy’s awe striking revenue surge feeds growth, but losses deepen

    MUMBAI: They bring us joy with a click, delivering steaming biryanis, comforting gulab jamuns, and all things delightful, right to our doors. But behind every pop notification—’Miss me?’ from our favorite desserts—lies a story of grit, ambition, and relentless pursuit. Swiggy, India’s food delivery and quick commerce titan, has filled our carts with convenience, but at a cost that has left its own coffers under strain. In its Q2 FY25 results, unveiled on 3 December 2024, Swiggy showcased an awe-inspiring surge in revenues by 30 per cent YoY to Rs 36,015 million. Yet, this celebratory crescendo is tempered by an echo of concern—net losses have deepened, reflecting the challenges of sustaining growth while keeping an expansive team and ecosystem thriving. It’s a tale as flavorful as their marketing, and as complex as their financials—balancing indulgence with accountability.

    Swiggy’s total revenue from operations increased by 30.2 per cent YoY, reaching Rs 36,015 million in Q2 FY25 compared to Rs 27,633 million in Q2 FY24. This leap reflects strong performance across key segments, particularly food delivery and quick commerce. However, the company’s consolidated losses stood at Rs 6,255 million for the quarter, marking an 8.6 per cent rise from the Rs 5,751 million loss recorded in the same period last year.

    The increase in expenses, driven by marketing, logistics, and employee benefits, strained profitability despite robust revenue growth. Total expenditure for Q2 FY25 amounted to Rs 43,095 million, a 22.8 per cent increase YoY. Swiggy’s continued focus on customer acquisition and brand building weighed heavily on its bottom line.

    Key drivers:

    ●   Food Delivery: As Swiggy’s flagship segment, food delivery generated Rs 15,745 million in revenue, reflecting a YoY growth of 22.9 per cent. Enhanced customer loyalty programs and competitive pricing played pivotal roles in this growth.

    ●   Quick Commerce (Instamart): Quick commerce revenues skyrocketed by 135.4 per cent YoY, reaching Rs 4,900 million, emphasising Swiggy’s commitment to diversifying its service portfolio. Strategic investments in dark stores and supply chain logistics have fueled this expansion.

    ●   Supply Chain and Distribution: This segment contributed Rs 14,526 million, up 22.0 per cent from the previous year, as Swiggy capitalised on its warehousing and fulfillment network to streamline FMCG distribution.

    ●   Platform Innovations: Revenues from platform innovations, including initiatives like Swiggy Genie, amounted to Rs 253 million but faced a decline from Rs 494 million YoY.

    Expansion comes at a cost

    Swiggy’s aggressive growth strategy comes at a significant cost. Employee benefits rose to Rs 6,073 million in Q2 FY25, up 13.2 per cent YoY, reflecting hiring and retention efforts in a competitive labor market. Delivery charges surged by 32.5 per cent to Rs 10,949 million, as Swiggy expanded operations in Tier II and Tier III cities.

    The company’s marketing expenses also increased, with advertising and promotional costs totaling Rs 5,371 million, up 8.8 per cent from the previous year. These expenditures underline Swiggy’s push to strengthen its market presence amidst fierce competition from rivals like Zomato and Blinkit.

    IPO milestones

    Swiggy’s listing on the NSE and BSE in November 2024 marked a significant milestone. The IPO raised Rs 115,407 million through fresh issues and offer-for-sale components. Proceeds were earmarked for expanding Instamart’s operations, enhancing technology infrastructure, and bolstering working capital.

    Additionally, Swiggy’s investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, Scootsy Logistics, reached Rs 1,600 crore. This infusion aims to optimise supply chain capabilities and support quick commerce scalability.

    Swiggy’s outlook hinges on its ability to navigate the profitability challenge. With over 70 per cent of revenues stemming from food delivery, diversifying its income streams is crucial. Quick commerce, which grew phenomenally in Q2 FY25, holds promise but demands continued investment.

    The company has also signaled its intent to strengthen customer engagement through tech-driven solutions and personalised services. However, the path to sustainable profitability will require stringent cost controls and efficiency enhancements across its operations.

    Swiggy’s Q2 FY25 performance paints a vivid picture of ambition clashing with financial challenges. Swiggy stands at a crossroads, its vision clear but the journey demanding resilience and bold decisions. For now, we wait—with curiosity and anticipation—to see what this culinary trailblazer serves up next in its quest to satisfy appetites and redefine the future of food.