ITV

Tag: MSO

  • GTPL Hathway announces fiscal year 2025 results; recommends dividend

    GTPL Hathway announces fiscal year 2025 results; recommends dividend

    MUMBAI: Cable TV MSO and broadband major GTPL Hathway Ltd  has released its audited financial results for the fourth quarter and the entire financial year, ended 31 March 2025. The board of directors, at its recent meeting, approved these results and recommended a dividend of Rs. 2.00 per equity share of Rs. 10 each, subject to shareholder approval.

    Here’s a snapshot of the company’s standalone financial performance, with comparisons to the previous year:

    finanials
    For the quarter ended 31 March 2025, GTPL Hathway reported revenue from operations of Rs. 5,621.91 million, a 10.44 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, and a net profit after tax of Rs. 81.50 million, a decrease of 18.10 per cent.

    For the year ended 31 March 2025, revenue from operations reached Rs. 21,933.81 million, an 8.13 per cent increase year-over-year, and net profit after tax was Rs. 478.03 million, a 37.30 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.

    The company’s board has proposed a dividend of Rs. 2.00 per share.

    segment results

    The old stager, cable TV, remains a significant contributor to GTPL Hathway’s coffers, raking in Rs 28,620.85 million for the year. However, the segment’s profitability has taken a hit, dropping to  Rs 268.48 million, compared to a far healthier Rs 859.68 million in the previous year. The fourth quarter, in particular, saw a loss of Rs 6.68 million. The internet service segment continues its race, pulling in Rs 5,485.09 million for the year, and a profit of Rs 218.31 million.

    Meanwhile GTPL Hathway  has paid a one-time application fee of Rs 100 million and has obtained approval from the ministry of information & broadcasting to establish, maintain, and operate a headend-in-the- sky (HITS) broadcasting services platform for a 10-year period, in compliance with the HITS guidelines. As at 31 March 2025, the company  is in the process of setting up the associated network and also obtaining other necessary licences.

    A media release issued by the company had the following to say: 

    Q4 FY25 Total revenue stood at Rs 8,989 million a growth of 10 per cent  Y-o-Y
    * FY25 revenue stood at Rs  35,072 million a growth of 8 per cent  annually and broadband revenue grew by four per cent  annually
    * EBITDA for Q4 FY25 stood at Rs   1,144 million  with an EBITDA Margin of 12.7 per cent  and an operating EBITDA margin of 22 per cent. For the full year, EBITDA stands at Rs   4,625 million with EBITDA Margin of 13.2 per cent  with an operating margin of 22 per cent 
    * Q4 FY25 Profit After Tax stood at Rs   105 million  and the same for FY25 is Rs   479 million

    Digital Cable TV
    • Active subscribers were 9.60  million as of March 31, 2025, achieving an increase by 100K Y-o-Y
    • Paying subscribers stood at 8.90 million, increasing by 100K Y-o-Y
    • Subscription revenue from cable TV stood at Rs   2,982 million for Q4FY25 & Rs  12,327 million for FY25
    • Company signed grant of permission agreement (GOPA) with ministry of information and broadcasting for
    providing headend-in-the-sky (HITS) services for a period of 10 years

    Broadband
    • Increase in broadband subscribers by 25K Y-o-Y thus standing at 1045K
    • Broadband revenue increased by 4% to Rs   1,358 million  for Q4 Y-o-Y &Rs   5,456 million  for FY25
    • Homepass as on 31 March  2025, stood at Rs 5.95 million – an addition of 150K Y-o-Y. Of the 5.95Mn, 75 per cent available for FTTX conversion
    • Broadband average revenue per user (ARPU) stood at Rs  465 per month per sub, increased Rs 5 Y-o-Y.
    • Average data consumption per user per month was 396 GB, an increase of 11 per cent  Y-o-Y.

    GTPL Hathway Ltd  managing director Anirudhsinh Jadeja said:  “It pleases me to report that the company has sustained its subscriber base across both business divisions reflecting the resilience within operations in an overall challenging industry environment. We continue to remain optimistic about our long-term strategies and our initiatives to capitalize on the evolving consumer trends.The upcoming financial year will be pivotal as we look to enhance our capabilities for distribution of TV services with material benefits expected to accrue over the medium term. We are constantly enhancing the ambit of our offerings, upgrading and implementing technological innovations and focusing on providing consumer centric services. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for growth across our businesses.”

  • Hathway Bhawani Cabletel’s profit takes a bit of a tumble

    Hathway Bhawani Cabletel’s profit takes a bit of a tumble

    MUMBAI: Cable TV company Hathway Bhawani Cabletel & Datacom Ltd has released its financial figures, and it’s a bit of a rollercoaster.

    For the quarter ended 31 March, 2025, revenue from operations clocked in at Rs 77.36 lakh, a decent step up from the Rs 65.50 lakh in the same quarter last year. Other income also perked up a bit, hitting Rs 16.81 lakh. 

    However, when you look at the bottom line, the profit/loss before tax for the year took a bit of a beating. It went from a loss of Rs 0.60 lakh in the previous year to a more robust profit of Rs 5.92 lakh. Still, the net profit/loss for the period tells a slightly different tale, with Rs 4.33 lakh profit compared to Rs (4.29) lakh in the previous year. 

    Expenses also played their part. Feed charges remained pretty steady, but employee benefit expenses saw a bit of a nudge upwards. 

    Revenue from operations for the year ended 31 March 2025 came  in at Rs 256.80 lakh, compared to Rs 268.33 lakh in the previous year. Other income, however, perked up nicely to Rs 18.37 lakh.

    When it comes to expenses, feed charges were relatively stable at Rs 87.99 lakh. However, employee benefit expenses climbed to Rs 59.66 lakh, which is a noticeable jump.

    Now, the crucial bit: profit and loss. The profit before tax for the year stood at Rs 5.92 lakh, a swing from the loss of Rs (3.99) lakh in the previous year. Net profit/loss for the year also showed a positive shift, with a profit of Rs 4.33 lakh compared to a loss of Rs (4.29) lakh the year before.

    The MSO is contesting a demand from the department of telecommunications (DoT) are still for a hefty Rs 4,130.38 lakh in licence fees, a figure that includes interest and penalties.  

  • GTPL sells dormant associate for Rs 1 Lakh

    GTPL sells dormant associate for Rs 1 Lakh

    MUMBAI: GTPL, the prominent multi-system operator (MSO) and broadband provider led by Anirudhsinh Jadeja, has offloaded its entire stake in a non-operational associate for Rs 1 lakh completing the transaction on 10 March.

    The cable TV and internet services company sold its 50 per cent equity holding in GTPL Jay Mataji Network Pvt Ltd to Deepak Kumar Yadav at approximately 11:00 a.m. IST, according to a regulatory filing.

    The transfer of 10,000 equity shares was finalised immediately after receipt of payment, effectively ending the associate relationship between the two entities.

    GTPL confirmed that  Yadav has no connection to its promoter or promoter group, and the transaction does not constitute a related party deal under regulatory provisions.

    Industry analysts note this move aligns with GTPL’s recent strategy of consolidating its position in core cable and broadband markets while divesting non-performing assets.

  • 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. 

  • Hathway Bhawani Cabletel reports quarterly loss amid declining revenues

    Hathway Bhawani Cabletel reports quarterly loss amid declining revenues

    MUMBAI: It’s a small MSO in the eastern part of Mumbai and covers the area of Chembur. But Hathay Bhawani Cabletel is  an off shoot of Hathway & Cable Datcom, which is a national MSO and is a part of Reliance Industries.

    The company  reported financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2024, revealing declining revenues and a shift from profitability to losses compared to the previous year.

    Q3 Financial Performance (October-December 2024)
    * Total Income: Rs 59.57 lakh, down 12 per cent  from Rs 67.92 lakh in Q3 FY 2023.
    * Total Expenses: Rs 65.25 lakh, up 21 per cent from Rs 53.89 lakh in Q3 FY 2023.
    * Net Loss: Rs 5.68 lakh, compared to a profit of Rs 4.03 lakh in the same quarter last year.

    The decline in income and significant rise in expenses contributed to the company’s unfavorable quarterly performance, highlighting operational inefficiencies and increased cost pressures.

    Nine-Month Financial Performance (April-December 2024)
    * Total Income: Rs 181 lakh, a 12 per cent decline from Rs 206.25 lakh during the same period in 2023.
    * Total Expenses: Rs 203.20 lakh, a slight reduction from Rs 205.66 lakh in the prior year.
    * Net Loss: Rs 22.20 lakh, compared to a modest profit of Rs 59,000 during the nine months ended December 2023.

    The income contraction coupled with sustained high expenses reversed the profitability recorded in the previous year.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Stakeholders can send feedback to TRAI’s recommendations on MSO’s platform services by 23 May

    Stakeholders can send feedback to TRAI’s recommendations on MSO’s platform services by 23 May

    MUMBAI: TRAI has announced on Friday that any stakeholder desirous of sending their views/comments/suggestions on the proposed Regulatory Framework for Platform Services offered by MSOs and TRAI’s recommendations can do so through email by 23 May.

    TRAI has clarified that views/comments/suggestions sought are only with respect to Platform Services offered by MSOs.

    In February last year, TRAI had recommended that MSOs be allowed to carry no more than 15 platform channels. Platform channels are channels or services offered by MSOs, local cable operators (LCOs) and DTH operators exclusively to their subscribers as value-added services.

    TRAI had recommended that programmes transmitted by the DTH operators or MSOs or IPTV operators as a platform service shall be exclusive and the same shall not be permitted to be shared directly or indirectly with any other DPO.

    “In case the same programme is found available on the platform service of any other DPO, MIB/TRAI may issue directions to immediately stop the transmission of such a programme. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) also reserves the right for cancellation of registration of such platform service of the DTH operator/MSOs/IPTV operator,” TRAI had said in its recommendations document on 2 February 2021.

    TRAI had first issued recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services for DTH and MSOs back in 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Mumbai: Despite several requests from private broadcasters, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) seems to have overlooked their request in the much-awaited recommendation on the 5G spectrum auction released on Monday. The telecom regulator, however, has accommodated Prasar Bharati’s concerns regarding the auctioning of the 526-582 MHz frequency band being used by Doordarshan for providing terrestrial TV broadcasting.

    The private players had requested for an adequate guard band of 100MHz between the 3300-3670 MHz allocated to 5G and 3700-4200 MHz being used by them in accordance with the international telecommunication union (ITU) norms. 

    Trai has instead recommended the department of telecommunication (DoT) to ask the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to take appropriate action and sensitise the MSOs, DTH operators, and other users to ensure the use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range to avoid interference from IMT stations.

    “As the IMT emissions in the 3300-3670 MHz may saturate the low noise block (LNB) of the fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station which traditionally operates in the 3400-4200 MHz, there is a need to make use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range,” a statement issued by Trai said. 

    ALSO READ | Broadcasters huddle up as 5G roll-out plan gathers pace

    Broadcasters claimed to have faced interference on downlink frequencies during the initial 5G trials, following which they raised the issue with the MIB, DoT, and WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of DoT), and the Trai. There were apprehensions around potential interference due to the larger C band allocation to 5G and the limited guard band of 30 MHz between the two services.

    “The 526-612 MHz frequency range should not be put in the forthcoming auction,” Trai recommended while stating the following reasons:

    (i)  Band plan(s) for the frequency range 526-612 MHz is yet to be defined by 3GPP/ITU.

    (ii)  Development of ecosystem for IMT in the 526-612 MHz frequency range will take some time.

    (iii)  MIB is using the 526-582 MHz band extensively across the country for TV transmitters.

    The telecom regulator has urged the DoT to come out with a plan for reframing the 526-582 MHz band to be utilised for IMT deployments. “To make 526-582 MHz band available for IMT, DoT should work with MIB to prepare a plan for an early migration from analogue to digital transmission, so that the frequency band from 526-582 MHz can be vacated for IMT services,” it said.

    Prasar Bharati had earlier argued that airwaves in the 526-582 MHz frequency band are required for the expansion and modernisation of its services. The public broadcaster had told Trai that “availability of spectrum is very crucial for planning DD TV Transmitters. Thus, the decision to use frequency band 470-698 for IMT purpose can be taken only after finalisation of terrestrial TV services by Doordarshan or other private broadcasters.”

    “Many analogue, digital-ready and digital terrestrial TV transmitters are operating in the band. Also, digital-ready transmitters are under installation in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir for which the wireless planning & coordination wing (WPC) has provided for in this band only,” it added.

    The DoT, through its letter dated 13 September 2021, requested Trai to furnish its recommendations on the auction of spectrum in the frequencies identified for international mobile telecommunications (IMT)/5G. The recommendations were sought on the applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, the quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25 – 28.5 GHz bands identified for IMT/5G in India.

    Except for 526-698 MHz, Trai has recommended that all available spectrum in the abovementioned bands be put to auction for 5G services.