ITV

Tag: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani

  • Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    Airtel led broadband subscriber growth in Jan-19

    BENGALURU: The Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti Airtel Ltd (Airtel) led broadband subscriber growth, both wired as well as wired internet, for the month ended 31 January 2019 (1 January 2019 to 31 January 2019, Jan-19) according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for the period. In Jan-19, Airtel added 0.997 crore (9.97 million, 99.7 lakh) wireless subscribers, hence upstaging the Mukesh Ambani’s juggernaut Reliance JioInfocomm (Jio) which added 0.932 crore (9.32 crore, 93.2 lakh) subscribers in Jan-19. Airtel also added 30,000 or about 30 percent to the growth of 1,00,000 in wired broadband internet subscribers Jan-19.

    Overall, the number of broadband subscribers grew by 2.149 crore (21.49 million, 214.9 lakh) in Jan-19, much higher than the 1.532 crore (15.32 million, 153.2 lakh) subscribers that were added in Jan-18, and even higher than the 2.054 crore (20.54 million, 205.4 lakh) subscribers added in Mar-18, the month which saw the highest number of subscribers added in any month in 2018. In percentage terms, India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 4.1 percent in Jan-19 to reach 54.004 crore (540.04 million, 5,400.4 lakh) from 51.855 crore (518.55 million, 5185.5 lakh) in Dec-18.

    In Jan-19, wireless broadband internet subscribers constituted about 96.5 percent of the broadband internet services base in India, followed by wired broadband internet services (3.4 percent) and Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) at about 0.1 percent. While the subscriber base of the former two grew in Jan-19, in the case of Fixed Wireless subscribers (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Point-to- Point Radio & VSAT) the base declined by about 10,000 .

    Please refer to the figures below:

    In Jan-19, the top five service providers constituted 98.63 percent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Jan-19. These service providers were Jio 28.994 crore (289.94 million, 2,899.4 lakh), Airtel 11.025 crore (110.25 million, 1,102.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.986 crore (109.86 million, 1,098.6 lakh), BSNL 2.081 crore (20.81 million, 208.1 lakh) and Tata Tele group 0.226 crore (2.26 million, 22.6 lakh).

    Wireless broadband internet – mobile device users (phones and dongles)

    As mentioned above, India’s wireless broadband internet services have been leading broadband internet subscriber base as well as subscriber growth in the country  – wireless broadband internet subscriber base grew 4.28 percent in Jan-19 to reach 52.135 crore (521.35 million, 5213.5 lakh) from 49.995 crore (499.95 million, 4999.5 lakh) at the end of Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wireless broadband service providers were Jio  28.944 crore (289.44 million, 2,894.4 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.984 crore (109.84 million, 1,098.4 lakh), Airtel  10.796 crore (107.96 million, 1,079.6 lakh), BSNL 1.164 crore (11.64 million, 116.4 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.179 crore (1.79 million, 17.9 lakh).

    Wired broadband internet

    Also, as mentioned above, India’s wired broadband internet subscribers grew by 1,00,000 (0.56 percent) in Jan-19. There were 1.827 crore (18.27 million, 182.7 lakh) wired broadband internet subscribers in the period under consideration as compared to 1.817 crore 18.17 million, 181.7 lakh) in the previous month, Dec-18.

    As on 31 January, 2019, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.917 crore (9.17 million), 91.7 lakh, Bharti Airtel 0.23 crore (2.30 million, 23 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.14 crore (1.40 million, 14 lakh), Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.079 crore  (0.79 million, 7.9 lakh) and MTNL 0.077 crore  (0.77 million, 7.7 lakh).

    While the public sector BSNL’s subscriber base remained stagnant, its smaller public sector sibling MTNL lost 10,000 subscribers, as well its fourth rank in terms of number of wired broadband subscribers in Jan-19 to Hathway which had added 10,000 subscribers in the same period. The other player – ACT also added 10,000 subscribers in Jan-19.
     

     

  • Reliance Jio acquires another 12% of Den Networks

    Reliance Jio acquires another 12% of Den Networks

    BENGALURU: Under disclosures of SEBI Regulations for Substantial Acquisitions of Shares and Takeovers (SAST), three Reliance Jio companies have informed the stock exchanges that they have increased their holdings in Indian multi system operator (MSO) Den Networks from 66.57 percent to 78.62 percent or increased their holdings by 12.05 percent which translates to roughly 5.75 crore shares. The three Jio companies are Jio Futuristic Digital Holdings Pvt Ltd, Jio Digital Distribution Holdings Pvt Ltd and Jio Television Distribution Holdings Pvt Ltd.

    As mentioned by us in October 2018 (http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/ril-close-to-buying-majority-stakes-in-den-hathway-181016) , Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) had announced the following strategic investments through a preferential issue under SEBI regulations and a secondary purchase to acquire a 66 per cent stake in Den Networks Ltd. Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) is a mobile network operator owned by Reliance Industries Limited. Besides Den Networks, RIL had also announced strategic investments in the Rajan Raheja-controlled  Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd at that time RIL said that these strategic investments are in furtherance of Reliance’s mission of connecting everyone and everything, everywhere – always at the highest quality and the most affordable price and transforming India’s digital landscape.

  • Bharti Airtel board’s special committee recommends Rs 32,000 cr rights issue

    Bharti Airtel board’s special committee recommends Rs 32,000 cr rights issue

    BENGALURU: The Sunil Mittal-headed Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Ltd (Airtel) has informed the bourses that its board of directors (the board) in its meeting held on. Thursday, February 28, 2019, has considered the recommendations of 'Special Committee of Directors for Fund Raising' and thereby approved the fund raising of up to Rs 32,000 crore through rights issuance of upto Rs 25,000 crore; and Perpetual Bond with equity credit up to Rs 7000 crore.

    The Perpetual bond of will be up to USD 1 billion (approximately Rs 7000 crore) denominated in foreign currency subject to price, market conditions and other terms and conditions as acceptable, and with conditions allowing for full accounting equity credit and subject to all applicable laws including under ECB Regulations.

    Further, the Board approved the following terms of the Rights Issue:

    a) Rights Issue Price: Rs 220 per fully paid equity share (including a premium of Rs 215 per fully paid equity share over face value of Rs 5 per share); and

    b) Rights entitlement ratio: 19 shares for every 67 shares held by eligible shareholders as on the record date.

    Airtel has not been very effective in countering what it termed in one of its media releases Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm’s ‘predatory pricing’. The company has lost subscribers, wireless as well as wireless broad subscribers in the month of December 2018 as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) latest monthly Telecom Reports. The company has not fared as well as in the past as per its quarterly report for the third quarter (Quarter ended December 31, 2018, Q3 2019).

  • Airtel Digital TV numbers up in Q3 2018

    Airtel Digital TV numbers up in Q3 2018

    BENGALURU: Bharti Airtel Ltd (Airtel) Digital TV services segment reported 7.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase, 3.2 per cent y-o-y increase and 4.5 per cent y-o-y increase in operating revenues, EBITDA and EBIT respectively for the quarter ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter, period, under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s subscriber base increased 7.6 per cent y-o-y to reach 1.5 crore subscribers as on 31 December 2019.

    In the meantime, hit by Mukesh Dhirbhai Amabani’s relentless Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd juggernaut, Airtel’s own numbers have been falling mainly due to the fall in numbers of its mobile services in India. 

    Airtel Digital TV services revenue for the period was Rs 1,033 crore as compared to Rs 964.3 crore for the corresponding year ago period. EBITDA for Q3 2019 was Rs 382.6 crore (37 per cent of operating revenue) as compared to Rs 370.8 crore (38.5 per cent of operating margin in Q3 2018. EBIT was Rs 156.8 crore for the quarter under review as compared to Rs 150 crore for the year ago quarter. Please refer to the figure below for the segment’s financial trends

    Airtel has reported increase in its Digital TV subscribers. As mentioned above Airtel Digital TV services subscriber base at the end of Q3 2019 stood at 1.5 crore, up 7.6 per cent y-o-y from 1.3937 crore in Q3 2018, and up 1.5 per cent quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) from 1.4779 crore in Q2 2019. Subscriber churn per month in the quarter was same as the previous quarter at 1.3 per cent. In the year ago quarter Q3 2018, subscriber churn was 1.2 per cent. Please refer to the figure below for Airtel Digital TV subscriber trends.

    Average revenue per user for the quarter under review was down by Rs 2 in Q3 2019 at Rs 231 as compared to Rs 233 in Q3 2018 and down by Re 1 as compared to the Rs 232 for the immediate trailing quarter. Please refer to the figure below for Airtel Digital TV ARPU trends.

    Bharti Airtel numbers

    Airtel’s consolidated revenues for Q3 2019 at Rs 20,519 crore grew 1.9 per cent y-o-y (reported increase of 1.0 per cent) on an underlying basis- adjusted for international termination rate reduction.

    India revenues for Q3 2019 at Rs 14,768 crore have declined by 2.3 per cent y-o-y (declined 3.5 per cent on reported) on an underlying basis. Mobile revenues have witnessed a y-o-y de-growth of 4.0 per cent on an underlying basis primarily on account of the sustained pricing pressure in India Mobile segment.

    In a statement, Airtel MD and CEO of India and South Asia Gopal Vittal, MD said, “Our simplified product portfolio and premium content partnerships have played out well during the quarter, translating into one of our highest ever 4G customers additions of 11 million plus. Our mobile data volume continues to expand, with a y-o-y growth of 190 per cent. We have deployed 24K broadband sites during the quarter and remain committed to invest in capacities ahead of the demand curve and provide a superior customer experience. Effective this quarter, we have modified our customer base measurement to represent only transacting and revenue generating customers. “

    In a statement, Airtel’s MD and CEO for Africa’s Raghunath Mandavasaid,
    “Airtel Africa’s Gross Revenue grew by 11.2 per cent on a y-o-y basis. Data traffic grew by 61 per cent, voice minutes increased by 25 per cent and Airtel Money throughput grew by 29 per cent on a y-o-y basis. Consequently, EBITDA margin has expanded by 1.7 per cent y-o-y and stood at 37.2 per cent for the quarter. We continue to further invest in strong LTE network to enhance customer experience and build a competitive advantage.”
     

  • RIL subsidiary gets Competition Commission nod for Den, Hathway acquisition

    RIL subsidiary gets Competition Commission nod for Den, Hathway acquisition

    BENGALURU: The Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited has informed the bourses that permission from the Competition Commission of India for acquisition of shares and control of Den Networks and Hathway Cable & Datacom  (Hathway) by six SPV 100 percent owned and controlled by Digital Media Distribution Trust of which Reliance Content Distribution Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, is the sole beneficiary, has been received on 21 January 2019.

    The approval will enable subscription to the preferential issue of equity shares by Den and Hathway and purchase of equity shares of Den from the existing promoters, as specified in the disclosure dated October 18, 2018.

    RIL is now waiting for Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) comments on the draft letter for mandatory open offer to shareholders of (a) Den; (b) GTPL Hathway Limited; and (c) Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacom Limited,

    Yesterday, Den Networks had informed the Stock Exchanges that (i) Jio Futuristic Digital Holdings Private Limited, (ii) Jio Digital Distribution Holdings Private Limited and (iii) Jio Television Distribution Holdings Private Limited (collectively referred as “investors“) have received the above referred approval.

    Also, yesterday, Hathway had informed the Stock Exchanges – “Further to our intimations dated 17th October, 2018 and 14th November, 2018 with respect to Boards' and Shareholders' approval for raising of funds up to Rs. 2940,00,03,500 (Rupees Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Crores Three Thousand and Five Hundred only) through preferential allotment to Jio Content Distribution Holdings Private Limited, Jio Internet Distribution Holdings Private Limited and Jio Cable and Broadband Holdings Private Limited (the "Proposed Investors"), please be informed that the Proposed Investors have received the approval from the Competition Commission of India on January 21, 2019.”

    Hathway had also submitted a copy of the Letter of Offer dated 21 January 2019 to Stock exchanges.

  • Reliance Jio adds 27.9 mn subs in Q3; GigaFiber marks entry in 1400 cities

    Reliance Jio adds 27.9 mn subs in Q3; GigaFiber marks entry in 1400 cities

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s juggernaut Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) reported 50.7 percent growth in gross revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The company’s operating result was 25.4 percent higher during the quarter under review as compared to the year ago quarter. Organised retail under Reliance Retail Ltd and Digital Services segment under Jio have been adding a larger and larger share to the company’s topline and operating results over time. 

    Q3-2019 was no different. Revenue for RIL’s Reliance Retail almost doubled (grew 89.3 percent) y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 35,577 crore (16.7 percent of gross revenue) as compared to Rs 18,798 crore (13.3 percent of gross revenue) in Q3 2018. The segment’s operating result grew 210.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,512 crore (0.71 percent of gross revenue) during the period under review from Rs 487 crore (0.34 percent of gross revenue). The segment’s contribution to operating results grew to 8.7 percent in Q3 2019 from 3.5 percent in Q3 2018.

    RIL’s digital segment revenue in Q3 2019 grew 51.2 percent y-o-y to Rs 12,302 crore (5.8 percent of gross revenue) from Rs 8,136 crore (5.8 percent of gross revenue). Operating results for the digital segment grew 64 percent y-o-y to Rs 2,362 crore (1.1 percent of gross revenue) in Q3 2019 from Rs 1,440 crore. (1 percent of gross revenue). The segment’s contribution to operating results grew to 13.6 percent in Q3 2019 from 10.4 percent in Q3 2018.

    RIL reported gross revenue of Rs 2,12,752 crore for Q3 2019 as compared to Rs 1,41,182 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter. Operating result for the period under review was Rs 17,341 crore as compared to Rs 13,830 crore for Q3 2018. The company reported profit for the period as Rs 10,376 crore which was 10 percent higher as compared to Rs 9,437 crore in Q3 2018. Total Comprehensive income for Q3 2019 was 28.8 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 11,052 crore as compared to Rs 8,582 crore.

    FTTH JioGigaFiber services, Den Networks and Hathway Cable & Datacom Investments

    In its earnings release, RIL said that JioGigaFiber services for home broadband, entertainment, smart home solutions, wireline and enterprise has witnessed overwhelming customer interest across 1,400 cities. Trial services are being rolled out across several cities to optimise service offerings.

    The company said that Jio’s customer engagement stayed healthy with average data consumption per user per month of 10.8 GB and average voice consumption of 794 minutes per user per month. Video consumption drove most of the usage, increasing to 460 crore hours per month.

    RIL said further that it awaits regulatory approvals to complete the recently announced investment in Den Networks Ltd and Hathway Cable and Datacom Ltd. Post completion of the transaction, Reliance and Jio will be strengthening the business model of 27,000 LCOs that are aligned with DEN and Hathway across 750 cities, by creating multiple future opportunities with new services and platforms.

    RIL says that Jio added 2.79 crore subscribers in Q3 2019 and its net subscriber base grew to 28 crore. The company says that Jio has had the lowest monthly churn in the industry of 0.61 percent during the quarter. Jio’s ARPU for Q3 2019 was Rs 130 as compared to Rs 131.70 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Company speak

    RIL chairman and managing director Ambani said, “In our endeavour to consistently create more value for our country and stakeholders, our company has become the first Indian private sector corporate to cross Rs 10,000

    crore quarterly profits milestone. I am proud to be part of the committed and talented team at Reliance that has helped achieve many milestones in our continuing growth journey.

    “In an oil price environment that witnessed heightened volatility through the quarter, RIL has delivered strong quarterly results on a consolidated basis. Competitive cost positions and integration benefits is core to our oil to chemicals (refining and petrochemicals) business, driving sustained performance even in challenging global business environment. In our new-age consumer businesses, we maintained robust growth momentum across Retail and Jio platforms and the share of consumer businesses is steadily increasing its contribution to the overall profitability of the Company. In our wireless business, our customer-centric offerings and strong ubiquitous network are helping to digitalise India at an unprecedented rate. As we execute on our strategies to deliver superior products and services to Indian consumers, I am confident, Reliance is well-positioned for the future and for the next cycle of growth,” concluded Ambani.

  • TV18 boosts Network18 numbers for third quarter

    TV18 boosts Network18 numbers for third quarter

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s media arm, Network18 reported improved numbers for the quarter ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter Q3 2018). The company reported 13 percent y-o-y growth in consolidated revenue for Q3 2019 at Rs 1,475 crore as compared to Rs 1,267 crore in Q3 2018. Network18 reported profit after taxes of Rs 138 crore for Q3 2018. Consolidated operating EBITA increased 18 percent y-o-y to Rs 88 crore in Q3 2019 from Rs 75 crore in Q3 2018.

    Network18’s numbers comprise of numbers from its publically listed subsidiary TV 18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) and from NW18 Web digital, print and others.

    TV 18 props Network 18 numbers

    TV 18 consolidated revenue of Rs 1,474 crore in Q3 2019 was 22 per cent higher y-o-y than Rs 1,211 crore in Q3 2018. TV 18 consolidated operating EBIDTA for Q3 2019 increased 41 percent y-o-y to Rs 115 crore from Rs 82 crore in Q3 2018

    Revenue growth in Q3 2019 was across all revenue streams. The company’s operating revenue from Business and General news (TV 18 standalone) increased 16 per cent y-o-y to Rs 290 crore from Rs 251 crore. The segment’s operating EBIDTA more than doubled (increased 130 percent) y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 47 crore from Rs 20 crore.

    National News (Business and General) revenue increased 12 percent in Q3 2019 y-o-y to Rs 220 crore from Rs 196 crore. National News (Business and General)  operating EBITDA increased 13 percent y-o-y to 56 crore from Rs 49 crore. National News. Regional News ex-Lokmat operating revenue during the quarter under review increased 27 percent y-o-y to Rs 70 crore from Rs 55 crore. The segment reported a substantially lower loss of Rs 9 crore for Q3 2019 as compared to Rs 29 crore for Q3 2018.The Entertainment segment (Viacom 18, AETN18 and Indiacast) saw a 23 percent y-o-y increase in revenue to Rs 1,185 crore in Q3 2019 from Rs 960 crore.  Operating profit of the Entertainment segment increased 11 percent y-o-y to Rs 68 core from Rs 61 core.

    NW18 Web digital, print and others numbers continue decline

    In Q2 2018, NW18 Web digital, print and others (NW18) revenue declined. The decline continued with a  13 per cent y-o-y fall in Q3 2019 to Rs 49 crore from Rs 56 crore in Q3 2018. NW18 operating EBIDTA was higher loss of Rs 27 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 7 crore in Q3 2018.

    Company speak

    Chairman of Network18, Adil Zainulbhai said: “Regional content consumption continues to see robust growth across all parts of the media industry that we play in, whether broadcasting or digital; and straddling news, entertainment and film. We continue to invest in digital with an eye on the future. We are extending our powerful brands across geographies, business models and mediums, to create the most compelling portfolio of properties in the opportunity-laden Indian media sector.”

    Notes

    Viacom18 and  Indiacast became subsidiaries of TV18 from 28 February 2018 and have been consolidated into TV18/Network18 financials from 1 March 2018. HomeShop18 has ceased to be a subsidiary of Network18 from 15 February 2018 as a result of its acquisition of ShopCJ through a share-swap.

  • Jio continues to lead broadband internet growth in Oct-18

    Jio continues to lead broadband internet growth in Oct-18

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s largest start-up in the world in the form of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (Jio) continued to lead broadband internet subscriber growth for the month of October 2018 (month ended 31 October 2018, Oct-18, period or month under review). Jio registered a net growth of 1.302 crore (13.02 million, 130.20 lakh) subscribers or 5.4 per cent during the month of October 2018. Since 31 December 2017 (Dec-17) or 1 January 2018, Jio’s subscriber base grew 9.216 crore (92.16 million 921.6 lakh) until 31 October 2018. At present, Jio’s subscriber base comprises only mobile device users – phones and dongles.

    The Vodafone and Idea merger has made the new entity Vodafone-Idea the second largest wireless or mobile broad services provider in the country after Jio. Bharti Airtel is the second largest broadband internet services provider in India if one were to consider its wireless and wired internet subscriber base.

    Overall, 1.442 crore (14.42 million, 144.2 lakh) net broadband subscribers were added in October 2018 – India’s broadband subscriber base grew by 2.99 percent in Oct-18.  

    The largest growth was by mobile device users (phones and dongles) or mobile wireless users, followed by wired broadband subscribers which registered a small growth of 0.011 crore (0.11 million, 1.1 lakh) or 0.60 per cent in Oct-18. Fixed wireless subscribers base declined by 0.0003 crore (0.003 million, 0.03 lakh) or declined by 0.43 per cent in October 2018

    Mobile device users subscriber base grew the 1.431 crore (14.31 million, 143.1 lakh) or 3.09 per cent during the month under review. India had a mobile device users subscriber base of 47.72 crore (477.20 million or 4,772.0 lakh) at the end of Oct-18 as compared to 46.289 crore (462.89 million, 4,628.9 lakh) at the end of Sep-18.

    As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data for Oct-18, the top five service providers constituted 98.42 per cent market share of the total broadband subscribers at the end of Oct-18. These service providers were Jio 26.275 crore (262.75 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Bharti Airtel 10.139 crore (101.39 million, 1,013.9 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.133 crore (101.33 million, 1,013.3 lakh), BSNL 2.03 crore (20.30 million, 203 lakh) and Tata Tele. Group 0.251 crore (2.51 million, 25.1 lakh).

    As on 31 October, 2018, the top five Wireless Broadband Service providers were Jio 26.275 crore (262.75 million, 2,627.5 lakh), Vodafone Idea 10.132 crore (101.32 million, 1,013.3 lakh), Bharti Airtel 9.914 crore (99.14 million, 991.4 lakh), BSNL 1.115 crore (11.15 million, 111.5 lakh) and Tata Teleservices 0.199 crore (1.99 million, 19.9 lakh).

    As on 31 October, 2018, the top five wired broadband service providers were BSNL 0.915 crore (9.15 million, 91.5 lakh), Bharti Airtel 0.225 crore (2.25 million, 22.5 lakh), Atria Convergence Technologies (ACT) 0.137 crore (1.37 million), 13.7 lakh, MTNL 0.079 crore (0.79 million, 7.9 lakh) and Hathway Cable & Datacom (Hathway) 0.075 crore (0.75 million, 7.5 lakh).

    The public sector MTNL continued to lose subscribers in Oct-18. As per TRAI data, MTNL’s subscriber base declined by 10,000 during the period nunder review. Among the top 5 wired broadband internet services providers, while Airtel and ACT added 10,000 subscribers each, besides MTNL, the other two players – BSNL and Hathway had no change in the number of subscribers in Oct-18 as compared to Sep-18. However, it is heartening to note that other smaller players, which could include MSOs and LCOs added 0.01 crore (0.1 million, 1 lakh) subscribers in the month.

    Notes: According to Trai, Broadband internet means services with speeds equal to or higher than 512 kpbs.

    Trai provides data in millions and to the second decimal place, hence the granularity of the data in this report is 10,000.

  • Jio and organised retail add to RIL’s growth in second quarter

    Jio and organised retail add to RIL’s growth in second quarter

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s largest startup in the world in the form of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd or Jio has only gone from strength to strength since its inception. The mobile and broadband subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which is already the largest mobile data carrier in the world with more than 25 crore subscribers, reported EBITDA growth of nearly 2.5 times for the quarter ended 30 September 2018 (Q2 2019, quarter under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. Jio’s operating revenue for Q2 2019 grew by a healthy 50.3 percent year-on- year (y-o-y).

    Some of the highlights of Jio’s performance in Q2 2019 include:

    Standalone revenue from operations for Q2 2019 was Rs 9,240 crore  with a 13.9 per cent q-o-q  growth as compared to Rs 8,109 crore in the previous quarter Q1 2019.

    Jio’s standalone EBITDA of Rs 3,573 crore for Q2 209 was 13.5 per cent higher q-o-q with EBITDA margin of 38.7 per cent as compared to Rs 3,147 crore and an EBITDA margin of 38.8 per cent in Q1 2019.

    Jio’s standalone Net Profit was Rs 681 crore.

    The company says that it closed Q2 2019 with a subscriber base  of 25.23 crore. Jio says in a press release that it had the lowest churn in the industry at 0.66 per cent per month. ARPU during the quarter was Rs 131.7 per subscriber per month.

    RIL’s organised retail arm’s revenue for Q2 FY19 grew by 121.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 32,436 crore from Rs 14,646 crore. The segment’s EBIT rose by an unprecedented 272.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 1,244 crore from Rs 334 crore.

    RIL chairman Amabani said in a press release, “Jio was conceived with a mission to connect everyone and everything, everywhere – always at the highest quality and the most affordable price. We, at Jio, are glad with our progress towards our mission with more than 250 million subscribers on our network within 25 months of commencement of services. We have enabled our customers to adopt the digital life, with record consumption of data and use of digital services. Our next generation FTTH and enterprise services are now being made available to our customers to further enhance our value proposition to our customers.”

    “We are making rapid progress on the growth of our digital platforms, across new commerce, media and entertainment, agriculture, education, healthcare and financial services, which will further enhance the quality of life and productivity of the people of India, ” added Ambani.

    In an RIL earnings release, Ambani said, “Our commitment to create consumer value is gathering momentum, with the robust scale-up of India- centric consumer facing businesses. The financial performance of both Retail and Jio reflect the benefits of scale, technology and operational efficiencies. Retail business EBITDA has grown three fold on y-o-y basis whereas Reliance Jio EBITDA has grown nearly 2.5 times. Jio has now crossed 250 million subscriber milestone and continues to be the largest mobile data carrier in the world.”

    RIL achieved revenue of Rs 156,291 crore ($ 21.6 billion), an increase of 54.5 per cent as compared to Rs 101,169 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. RILs’ Profit after tax (PAT) was higher by 17.4 per cent at Rs 9,516 crore ($ 1.3 billion) as against Rs 8,109 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Operating profit before other income and depreciation increased by 35.6 per cent to Rs 21,108 crore ($ 2.9 billion) from Rs 15,565 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

  • Network18 reports improved numbers for Q2 FY19

    Network18 reports improved numbers for Q2 FY19

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s media arm, Network18, reported improved numbers for the quarter ended 30 September 2018 (Q2 2019, quarter under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter Q2 2018). The company reported 9 per cent y-o-y growth in consolidated revenue for Q2 2019 at Rs 1,237 crore as compared to Rs 1,138 crore in Q2 2018. Network18 reported a lower loss of Rs 68 crore in the quarter under review as compared to Rs 71 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Consolidated operating EBITDA increased 59 per cent y-o-y to Rs 92 crore in Q 2019 from Rs 58 crore in Q2 2018.

    Network18’s numbers comprise numbers from its publically listed subsidiary TV18 Broadcast Ltd and from NW18 digital, print and others.

    TV18 Broadcast numbers

    TV18 consolidated revenue of Rs 1,118 crore in Q2 2019 was 11 per cent higher y-o-y than Rs 1,084 crore in Q 2018. TV18 consolidated operating EBITDA for Q2 2019 increased 42 per cent y-o-y to Rs 108 crore from Rs 76 crore in Q 2018

    Revenue growth in Q2 2019 was across all revenue streams. The company’s operating revenue from business and general news (TV18 standalone) increased 26 per cent y-o-y to Rs 200 crore from Rs 159 crore. The segment’s operating EBITDA increased 10 per cent y-o-y in Q2 2019 to Rs 31 crore from Rs 28 crore. Regional news ex-Lokmat including entertainment operating revenue during the quarter under review increased 36 per cent y-o-y to Rs 95 crore from Rs 70 crore. The segment reported a substantially lower loss of Rs 8 crore for Q2 2019 as compared to Rs 28 crore for Q2 2018.The entertainment segment (Viacom18 and Indiacast) saw a 6 per cent y-o-y increase in revenue to Rs 903 crore in Q2 2019 from Rs 855 crore. Operating profit of the entertainment segment increased 12 per cent y-o-y to Rs 85 core from Rs 76 core.

    NW18 digital, print and others numbers

    NW18 digital, print and others (NW18) revenue declined 28 per cent y-o-y to Rs 39 crore from Rs 54 crore. NW18 operating EBITDA was a lower loss of Rs 16 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 18 crore.

    Company speak

    Chairman of Network18, Adil Zainulbhai said: “Our regional properties across news and entertainment have shown significant improvements in viewership and monetisation, cementing our belief that vernacular content will be a key growth driver. We continue to see opportunities in the Indian media space; and aim to create segmented offerings to deepen our presence.”

    In the TV18 media release, Zainulbhai said, “TV18’s investments into regional have served to diversify our portfolio and reduce dependence on national markets. Our rising viewership in regional channels across both news and entertainment has been the primary driver this quarter. We shall continue to invest in the broadcasting space to capture growth opportunities.”

    Notes:

    Viacom18 and  Indiacast became subsidiaries of TV18 from 28 February 2018 and have been consolidated into TV18/Network18 financials from 1 March 2018. HomeShop18 has ceased to be a subsidiary of Network18 from 15 February 2018 as a result of its acquisition of ShopCJ through a share-swap.