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Tag: QoQ

  • Q2-2016: TRAI Report: YoY and QoQ Radio ad revenue up 23 per cent

    Q2-2016: TRAI Report: YoY and QoQ Radio ad revenue up 23 per cent

    BENGALURU:  The radio industry in India has reported the highest advertisement revenue so far for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 (Q2-2016) as per the latest TRAI report. Advertisement revenue in Q2-2016 reported to TRAI by 236 radio stations was Rs 481.56 crore, or Rs2.04 crore per station. The ad revenue per station reported in Q2-2016 increased 23.17 per cent year-on-year (YoY) as compared to Rs 1.66 crore in (Rs 399.26 crore reported by 241 radio stations) Q2-2015 and 23.81 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) as compared to Rs 1.65 crore (Rs 393.9 crore reported by 239 radio stations) in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Before Q2-2016, the previous highest ad revenue was Rs 443.17 crore reported by 241 radio stations in Q3-2015 orRs 1.84 crore per station.

    Note (1): (a)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (b) The author has taken the liberty to introduce a measure – average revenue per radio station. This is a rough yardstick and may not necessarily be indicative of a station or a networks performance, because factors such as geography and market conditions within the area of operations are among many that will also determine performance.

    (c) This report is skewed more towards general financial numbers in terms of revenue and results, and not operational performance.

    Trends across 18 consecutive quarters (four fiscal years, plus two quarters of the current fiscal)

    Please refer to Fig A below – Ad revenue per station has been calculated based on combined ad revenue figures disclosed by TRAI across 18 consecutive quarters starting Q1-2012 until Q2-2016. During the period, in general, ad revenue from radio stations shows an increasing linear trend as is indicted by the broken black trend line. Over the financial years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, it has been noted that ad revenue increases in the following order from lowest to highest – Q1, Q2, Q4, Q3. It may be noted that in fiscals 2012 and 2013 ad revenue per station was actually higher in Q4 than Q3, but in fiscals 2014 and 2015, it was highest in Q3.

    Fig B below shows how ad revenues have changed YoY and QoQ since Q1-2013 until Q2-2016 (across 14 quarters). During this periodboth the YoY and QoQincrease was highest in Q2-2016 at approximately 23 per cent plus each. The previous highest YoY increase was Q2-2014 at 21.31 per cent, while the previous highest QoQ increase was Q3-2013 at 18.85 per cent. While there has never been a YoY decline, in the case of QoQ, revenues have declined in Q1-2013, Q1-2014, Q4-2014, Q1-2015, Q4-2015 and Q1-2016, hence further substantiating the above observations that Q1 of a financial year generally has the lowest ad revenue in a fiscal, while Q3, which is the festival quarter in India, has the highest ad revenue. Further, the QoQ drop in Q4 was not steep, and hence Q4 over the past two fiscals has the next highest ad revenues.

    For the year ended March 31, 2015 (FY-2015), the numbers reported by the radio industry for the year were the probably the best (indiantelevision link, radioandusic link) until then. Despite an 8.88 percent QoQ (quarter on quarter) fall in average ad revenue per station in Q1-2016, the ad average revenue per station of Rs 1.65 crore was the best yet for the first quarter over a period of 4 years. In Q1-2015, YoY ad revenue grew 11.90 percent as compared to Q1-2014.Combined with the great Q2-2016 numbers, historical trends indicate that FY-2016 could be an even better year in terms of average revenue per station and overall revenues.

    As per the latest TRAI data, the sum of average ad revenues per station for the first two quarters of 2016 at Rs 3.69 crore is already 54.4 per cent of the average ad revenue per station of Rs 6.78 crore for fiscal 2015. As mentioned above, Q1 and Q2 generally report the lowest and second lowest ad revenues respectively in a financial year. Results reported by a few companies for the third quarter ended 31 December 2015 (Q3-2016) indicate that YoY and QoQ revenues have risen.  Add to this the revenue of the new stations acquired in phase III auctions if/once they start operations in the fourth quarter, the radio industry should report substantial revenue increases from FY-2016 onwards.

    Let us look at how a few radio networks performed.

    Note (2):  (a) This report considers PAT posted by 2 radio companies (ENIL – Radio Mirchi, 32 radio stations; JagranPrakashan – Radio City – 20 radio stations), along with operating results of DB Corp (My FM, 17 stations); B. A.G. Films (Radio Dhamaal, 10 stations); HT Media (Fever FM, 4 stations); and TV Today (Oye! FM, 6 stations), or a total of 6 radio networks that represent 89, or 36.63 percent of the 243 private FM radio stations in Q2-2016.

    (b) The Q3-2016 numbers of individual players in this report have been obtained from their filings with regulatory bodies, the TRAI number for Q3-2016 has been extrapolated and could prove to be inaccurate.

    (c)Revenues for the sample stations mean Total Income from Operations and generally include ad revenue and other operating revenues.

    (d) Phase III and other radio stations acquisitions: ENIL has received permission from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) to acquire 4 stations from TV Today Network Limited (Oye! FM), viz., those at Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla and Jodhpur – which the company says have been/will be re-branded and re-launched shortly as Mirchi, adding to its North India network strength. With another 7 stations acquired in phase III auctions, the core Mirchi brand will now be available in 43 cities. There are/will be a total of 39 FM radio stations that JagranPrakashan Limited currently has. This includes the existing 20 radio stations plus 11 stations acquired in phase III auctions and 8 radio stations under the brand Radio Mantra.  Radio Mantra was earlier operated by Shri Puran Multimedia, Jagran’s promoter group. Besides, the group also runs a web radio network with 21 web radio streams under Planetradiocity.com.  During the Phase III auctions, DB Corp (My FM) acquired 14 frequencies, through which MY FM will extend its presence to seven states and 30 cities with 31 stations. HT Media acquired 10 radio frequencies during phase III auctions, taking its total radio stations to 14. However these changes are not considered here, for this report pertains to the period before all the new stations have started operations.

    (e) In mid-December 2015, Radio Mirchi added two more station, those at Amritsar and Patalia. It is presumed by the author that the addition of these two mare station brought in no significant addition to income to Radio Mirchi in Q3-2016, hence Radio Mirchi’s revenue per station has been calculated on the basis of 32 stations in this paper for that quarter. However, actual facts could be different.

    Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) that operates brand Radio Mirchi is the only separately listed radio company in India and one of the most profitable ones by far. It must be noted that in Q2-2016, ENIL’s revenue made up 50.6 per cent of the combined revenue of the six entities in this paper. In Q3-2016, ENIL contributed to 51.6 per cent of combined revenues. Other stations/radio brands of consequence, whose results are within the public domain have been considered in this report.

    Please refer to Fig C below. It may be noted that the figure of Rs2.30 crore in blue for All India ad revenue per station is a projection based on certain assumptions made by the author, and could be incorrect.

    In Q2-2016 (30 September 2015), combined revenues of the six entities in this report had increased 10.3 per cent YoY and had increased 15.5 per cent QoQ, much lower than the YoY andQoQ increases reported by TRAI (23.17 per cent and 23.81 per cent respectively)

    Combined revenues of the 89 radio stations run by the six entities increased 19.2 per cent YoY to Rs 278.16 crore in Q3-2016 (31 December 2016) as compared to Rs 233.41 crore and increased 21 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 229.95 crore.

    Combined operating profit/PAT in Q3-2016 of the six entities declined 11.1 per cnt YoY to Rs 60.31 crore as compared to Rs 67.83 crore, but increased 36.6 per cent QoQ from Rs 44.15 crore.

    Music Broadcast Limited (MBL) which runs Radio City reported 14.9 YoY (year-on-year) growth in operating revenue for Q3-2016 at Rs 64.80 crore as compared to Rs 56.39 crore for the corresponding prior year quarter. Revenue in Q3-2016 was 16.7 per cent higher QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) as compared to Rs 55.54 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    B. A. G. Films Limited Radio segment Radio Dhamaalreported 1.8 per cent QoQ drop in operating revenue growth at Rs 2.18 crore as compared to Rs 2.22 crore and 10 per cent YoY decline in revenue as compared to Rs2.43 crore.

    HT Media’s radio segment Fever 104 FM reported a 25 per cent YoY increase in operating revenue to Rs 32.26 crore as compared to Rs 28.81 crore and grew 10 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 29.34 crore.

    ENIL reported 22.9 percent YoY increase in Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 143.57 crore as compared to the Rs 117.69 crore and 23.5 percent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 116.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    DB Corp’s My FMrevenue increased 25.8 percent YoY at Rs 32.32 crore as compared to Rs 25.69 crore) and a  34.9 percent QoQ  growth as compared to Rs 23.96 crore.

    TV Today’s Network Limited radio segment Oye! reported49.4 percent YoY decline in operating revenue at Rs 2.02 crore as compared to Rs 4.00 crore, and 22.5 percent lower operating revenue as compared to Rs 2.61 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    MBL’s (Radio City) profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 5.4 per cent YoY to Rs 16.17 crore (25 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 17.10 crore (30.3 per cent margin), but increased by more than a third (increased by 34.2 per cent) from Rs 12.05 crore (21.7 per cent margin). PAT for 9M-2016 declined 30.7 per cent to Rs 25.99 crore (15.5 per cent margin) from Rs 37.53 crore (24.9 per cent margin) in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Dhamaal’s operating profit in Q3-2016 was less than a third (down 68.1 per cent) QoQ at Rs 0.23 crore as compared to Rs 0.73 crore and less than a fourth (down 75.5 per cent) YoY as compared to Rs 0.94 crore in Q2-2015.

    Fever reported 21 per cent decline in operating profit in Q3-2016 at Rs 7.46 crore as compared to Rs 9.44 crore, but was 94.3 per cent more QoQ than of Rs 3.84 crore.

    ENIL’s profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 18.8 percent to Rs 26.99 crore (18.8 percent margin) as compared to Rs 32.84 crore (28.1 percent margin) and was flat QoQ as compared to Rs 26.97 crore (23.2 percent margin) in Q2-2016. The company had entered the Rs 100 crore PAT club in FY-2015 with a PAT of Rs 105.98 crore (24.2 percent margin) on a TIO of Rs 483.48 crore.

    My FM reported almost double the operating profit (grew by 98.7 percent) QoQ at Rs 12 crore as compared to Rs 6.04 crore and increased 27.1 percent YoY as compared to Rs 9.44 crore.

    Oye! loss in the current quarter was higher at Rs2.54 crore as compared to the operating loss of Rs1.94 crore in Q3-2015 but lower than the operating loss of Rs 5.48 crore in Q2-2016.

  • Q2-2016: TRAI Report: YoY and QoQ Radio ad revenue up 23 per cent

    Q2-2016: TRAI Report: YoY and QoQ Radio ad revenue up 23 per cent

    BENGALURU:  The radio industry in India has reported the highest advertisement revenue so far for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 (Q2-2016) as per the latest TRAI report. Advertisement revenue in Q2-2016 reported to TRAI by 236 radio stations was Rs 481.56 crore, or Rs2.04 crore per station. The ad revenue per station reported in Q2-2016 increased 23.17 per cent year-on-year (YoY) as compared to Rs 1.66 crore in (Rs 399.26 crore reported by 241 radio stations) Q2-2015 and 23.81 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) as compared to Rs 1.65 crore (Rs 393.9 crore reported by 239 radio stations) in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Before Q2-2016, the previous highest ad revenue was Rs 443.17 crore reported by 241 radio stations in Q3-2015 orRs 1.84 crore per station.

    Note (1): (a)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (b) The author has taken the liberty to introduce a measure – average revenue per radio station. This is a rough yardstick and may not necessarily be indicative of a station or a networks performance, because factors such as geography and market conditions within the area of operations are among many that will also determine performance.

    (c) This report is skewed more towards general financial numbers in terms of revenue and results, and not operational performance.

    Trends across 18 consecutive quarters (four fiscal years, plus two quarters of the current fiscal)

    Please refer to Fig A below – Ad revenue per station has been calculated based on combined ad revenue figures disclosed by TRAI across 18 consecutive quarters starting Q1-2012 until Q2-2016. During the period, in general, ad revenue from radio stations shows an increasing linear trend as is indicted by the broken black trend line. Over the financial years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, it has been noted that ad revenue increases in the following order from lowest to highest – Q1, Q2, Q4, Q3. It may be noted that in fiscals 2012 and 2013 ad revenue per station was actually higher in Q4 than Q3, but in fiscals 2014 and 2015, it was highest in Q3.

    Fig B below shows how ad revenues have changed YoY and QoQ since Q1-2013 until Q2-2016 (across 14 quarters). During this periodboth the YoY and QoQincrease was highest in Q2-2016 at approximately 23 per cent plus each. The previous highest YoY increase was Q2-2014 at 21.31 per cent, while the previous highest QoQ increase was Q3-2013 at 18.85 per cent. While there has never been a YoY decline, in the case of QoQ, revenues have declined in Q1-2013, Q1-2014, Q4-2014, Q1-2015, Q4-2015 and Q1-2016, hence further substantiating the above observations that Q1 of a financial year generally has the lowest ad revenue in a fiscal, while Q3, which is the festival quarter in India, has the highest ad revenue. Further, the QoQ drop in Q4 was not steep, and hence Q4 over the past two fiscals has the next highest ad revenues.

    For the year ended March 31, 2015 (FY-2015), the numbers reported by the radio industry for the year were the probably the best (indiantelevision link, radioandusic link) until then. Despite an 8.88 percent QoQ (quarter on quarter) fall in average ad revenue per station in Q1-2016, the ad average revenue per station of Rs 1.65 crore was the best yet for the first quarter over a period of 4 years. In Q1-2015, YoY ad revenue grew 11.90 percent as compared to Q1-2014.Combined with the great Q2-2016 numbers, historical trends indicate that FY-2016 could be an even better year in terms of average revenue per station and overall revenues.

    As per the latest TRAI data, the sum of average ad revenues per station for the first two quarters of 2016 at Rs 3.69 crore is already 54.4 per cent of the average ad revenue per station of Rs 6.78 crore for fiscal 2015. As mentioned above, Q1 and Q2 generally report the lowest and second lowest ad revenues respectively in a financial year. Results reported by a few companies for the third quarter ended 31 December 2015 (Q3-2016) indicate that YoY and QoQ revenues have risen.  Add to this the revenue of the new stations acquired in phase III auctions if/once they start operations in the fourth quarter, the radio industry should report substantial revenue increases from FY-2016 onwards.

    Let us look at how a few radio networks performed.

    Note (2):  (a) This report considers PAT posted by 2 radio companies (ENIL – Radio Mirchi, 32 radio stations; JagranPrakashan – Radio City – 20 radio stations), along with operating results of DB Corp (My FM, 17 stations); B. A.G. Films (Radio Dhamaal, 10 stations); HT Media (Fever FM, 4 stations); and TV Today (Oye! FM, 6 stations), or a total of 6 radio networks that represent 89, or 36.63 percent of the 243 private FM radio stations in Q2-2016.

    (b) The Q3-2016 numbers of individual players in this report have been obtained from their filings with regulatory bodies, the TRAI number for Q3-2016 has been extrapolated and could prove to be inaccurate.

    (c)Revenues for the sample stations mean Total Income from Operations and generally include ad revenue and other operating revenues.

    (d) Phase III and other radio stations acquisitions: ENIL has received permission from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) to acquire 4 stations from TV Today Network Limited (Oye! FM), viz., those at Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla and Jodhpur – which the company says have been/will be re-branded and re-launched shortly as Mirchi, adding to its North India network strength. With another 7 stations acquired in phase III auctions, the core Mirchi brand will now be available in 43 cities. There are/will be a total of 39 FM radio stations that JagranPrakashan Limited currently has. This includes the existing 20 radio stations plus 11 stations acquired in phase III auctions and 8 radio stations under the brand Radio Mantra.  Radio Mantra was earlier operated by Shri Puran Multimedia, Jagran’s promoter group. Besides, the group also runs a web radio network with 21 web radio streams under Planetradiocity.com.  During the Phase III auctions, DB Corp (My FM) acquired 14 frequencies, through which MY FM will extend its presence to seven states and 30 cities with 31 stations. HT Media acquired 10 radio frequencies during phase III auctions, taking its total radio stations to 14. However these changes are not considered here, for this report pertains to the period before all the new stations have started operations.

    (e) In mid-December 2015, Radio Mirchi added two more station, those at Amritsar and Patalia. It is presumed by the author that the addition of these two mare station brought in no significant addition to income to Radio Mirchi in Q3-2016, hence Radio Mirchi’s revenue per station has been calculated on the basis of 32 stations in this paper for that quarter. However, actual facts could be different.

    Entertainment Network India Limited (ENIL) that operates brand Radio Mirchi is the only separately listed radio company in India and one of the most profitable ones by far. It must be noted that in Q2-2016, ENIL’s revenue made up 50.6 per cent of the combined revenue of the six entities in this paper. In Q3-2016, ENIL contributed to 51.6 per cent of combined revenues. Other stations/radio brands of consequence, whose results are within the public domain have been considered in this report.

    Please refer to Fig C below. It may be noted that the figure of Rs2.30 crore in blue for All India ad revenue per station is a projection based on certain assumptions made by the author, and could be incorrect.

    In Q2-2016 (30 September 2015), combined revenues of the six entities in this report had increased 10.3 per cent YoY and had increased 15.5 per cent QoQ, much lower than the YoY andQoQ increases reported by TRAI (23.17 per cent and 23.81 per cent respectively)

    Combined revenues of the 89 radio stations run by the six entities increased 19.2 per cent YoY to Rs 278.16 crore in Q3-2016 (31 December 2016) as compared to Rs 233.41 crore and increased 21 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 229.95 crore.

    Combined operating profit/PAT in Q3-2016 of the six entities declined 11.1 per cnt YoY to Rs 60.31 crore as compared to Rs 67.83 crore, but increased 36.6 per cent QoQ from Rs 44.15 crore.

    Music Broadcast Limited (MBL) which runs Radio City reported 14.9 YoY (year-on-year) growth in operating revenue for Q3-2016 at Rs 64.80 crore as compared to Rs 56.39 crore for the corresponding prior year quarter. Revenue in Q3-2016 was 16.7 per cent higher QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) as compared to Rs 55.54 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    B. A. G. Films Limited Radio segment Radio Dhamaalreported 1.8 per cent QoQ drop in operating revenue growth at Rs 2.18 crore as compared to Rs 2.22 crore and 10 per cent YoY decline in revenue as compared to Rs2.43 crore.

    HT Media’s radio segment Fever 104 FM reported a 25 per cent YoY increase in operating revenue to Rs 32.26 crore as compared to Rs 28.81 crore and grew 10 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 29.34 crore.

    ENIL reported 22.9 percent YoY increase in Total Income from Operations (TIO) in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 143.57 crore as compared to the Rs 117.69 crore and 23.5 percent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 116.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    DB Corp’s My FMrevenue increased 25.8 percent YoY at Rs 32.32 crore as compared to Rs 25.69 crore) and a  34.9 percent QoQ  growth as compared to Rs 23.96 crore.

    TV Today’s Network Limited radio segment Oye! reported49.4 percent YoY decline in operating revenue at Rs 2.02 crore as compared to Rs 4.00 crore, and 22.5 percent lower operating revenue as compared to Rs 2.61 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    MBL’s (Radio City) profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 5.4 per cent YoY to Rs 16.17 crore (25 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 17.10 crore (30.3 per cent margin), but increased by more than a third (increased by 34.2 per cent) from Rs 12.05 crore (21.7 per cent margin). PAT for 9M-2016 declined 30.7 per cent to Rs 25.99 crore (15.5 per cent margin) from Rs 37.53 crore (24.9 per cent margin) in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Dhamaal’s operating profit in Q3-2016 was less than a third (down 68.1 per cent) QoQ at Rs 0.23 crore as compared to Rs 0.73 crore and less than a fourth (down 75.5 per cent) YoY as compared to Rs 0.94 crore in Q2-2015.

    Fever reported 21 per cent decline in operating profit in Q3-2016 at Rs 7.46 crore as compared to Rs 9.44 crore, but was 94.3 per cent more QoQ than of Rs 3.84 crore.

    ENIL’s profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 18.8 percent to Rs 26.99 crore (18.8 percent margin) as compared to Rs 32.84 crore (28.1 percent margin) and was flat QoQ as compared to Rs 26.97 crore (23.2 percent margin) in Q2-2016. The company had entered the Rs 100 crore PAT club in FY-2015 with a PAT of Rs 105.98 crore (24.2 percent margin) on a TIO of Rs 483.48 crore.

    My FM reported almost double the operating profit (grew by 98.7 percent) QoQ at Rs 12 crore as compared to Rs 6.04 crore and increased 27.1 percent YoY as compared to Rs 9.44 crore.

    Oye! loss in the current quarter was higher at Rs2.54 crore as compared to the operating loss of Rs1.94 crore in Q3-2015 but lower than the operating loss of Rs 5.48 crore in Q2-2016.

  • Q3-2016: Radio City revenue up 15%

    Q3-2016: Radio City revenue up 15%

    BENGALURU: Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), which runs Radio City, reported 14.9 YoY (year-on-year) growth in operating revenue (OpRev) for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 64.80 crore as compared to Rs 56.39 crore for the corresponding prior year quarter. Revenue in Q3-2016 was 16.7 per cent higher QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) as compared to Rs 55.54 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (2) Margins have been calculated on operating revenue in this report.

    For the nine month period ended 31 December, 2015, (9M-2016, year to date or YTD), MBL reported 11.3 per cent higher OpRev at Rs 167.72 crore as compared to Rs 150.65 crore in the corresponding prior year nine month period. Though PAT in the current quarter and nine month period has reduced as compared to corresponding prior year periods, operating profit (Operating revenue minus expenses) has increased.

    The company’s profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 5.4 per cent YoY to Rs 16.17 crore (25 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 17.10 crore (30.3 per cent margin), but increased by more than a third (increased by 34.2 per cent) from Rs 12.05 crore (21.7 per cent margin). PAT for 9M-2016 declined 30.7 per cent to Rs 25.99 crore (15.5 per cent margin) from Rs 37.53 crore (24.9 per cent margin) in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    As mentioned above, Operating profit increased 22.1 per cent in the current quarter YoY to Rs 25.40 crore (39.2 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 20.80 crore (36.9 per cent margin) and increased 59.7 per cent QoQ from Rs 16.09 (29 per cent margin). Operating profit in 9M-2016 increased 17.6 per cent to Rs 56.01 crore (33.4 per cent margin) from Rs 47.63 crore (31.6 per cent margin) in 9M-2015.

    Expenses in Q3-2016 were 10.7 per cent higher YoY at Rs 39.40 crore (60.8 per cent of OpRev) as compared to Rs 35.59 (63.1 per cent of OpRev) and almost flat (reduced by 0.1 per cent) QoQ as compared to Rs 39.45 crore (71 per cent of OpRev). Expenses in 9M-2016 increased 8.4 per cent to Rs 111.71 crore (66.6 per cent of OpRev) from Rs 103.02 crore (68.4 per cent of OpRev).

    Jagran Prakashan numbers in brief

    MBL’s parent company, Indian publishing company Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) reported 22.5 per cent increase in YoY consolidated operating revenue in Q3-2016 to Rs 576.36 crore as compared to Rs 470.46 crore. JPL’s advertising revenue increased 28.5 per cent YoY to Rs 434.82 crore from Rs 338.35 crore. Circulation revenues increased two per cent to Rs 102.02 crore from Rs 100 crore. JPL’s PAT in Q3-2016 increased 40.1 per cent YoY from Rs 66.62 crore.

    For 9M-2016, JBL reported 17.1 per cent increase in operating revenue to Rs 1577.02 crore from Rs 1347.02 crore in the corresponding prior year nine month period, advertising revenue increased 22.6 per cent to Rs 1169.36 crore from Rs 954.17 crore, circulation revenue increased 3.5 per cent to Rs 302.36 crore from Rs 292.15 crore. PAT in 9M-2016 after extraordinary item (Rs 116.30 crore) more than doubled (up 104.3 per cent) to Rs 364.52 crore from Rs 178.43 crore in 9M-2015.

  • Q3-2016: Radio City revenue up 15%

    Q3-2016: Radio City revenue up 15%

    BENGALURU: Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), which runs Radio City, reported 14.9 YoY (year-on-year) growth in operating revenue (OpRev) for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) at Rs 64.80 crore as compared to Rs 56.39 crore for the corresponding prior year quarter. Revenue in Q3-2016 was 16.7 per cent higher QoQ (quarter-on-quarter) as compared to Rs 55.54 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    (2) Margins have been calculated on operating revenue in this report.

    For the nine month period ended 31 December, 2015, (9M-2016, year to date or YTD), MBL reported 11.3 per cent higher OpRev at Rs 167.72 crore as compared to Rs 150.65 crore in the corresponding prior year nine month period. Though PAT in the current quarter and nine month period has reduced as compared to corresponding prior year periods, operating profit (Operating revenue minus expenses) has increased.

    The company’s profit after tax (PAT) in Q3-2016 declined 5.4 per cent YoY to Rs 16.17 crore (25 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 17.10 crore (30.3 per cent margin), but increased by more than a third (increased by 34.2 per cent) from Rs 12.05 crore (21.7 per cent margin). PAT for 9M-2016 declined 30.7 per cent to Rs 25.99 crore (15.5 per cent margin) from Rs 37.53 crore (24.9 per cent margin) in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    As mentioned above, Operating profit increased 22.1 per cent in the current quarter YoY to Rs 25.40 crore (39.2 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 20.80 crore (36.9 per cent margin) and increased 59.7 per cent QoQ from Rs 16.09 (29 per cent margin). Operating profit in 9M-2016 increased 17.6 per cent to Rs 56.01 crore (33.4 per cent margin) from Rs 47.63 crore (31.6 per cent margin) in 9M-2015.

    Expenses in Q3-2016 were 10.7 per cent higher YoY at Rs 39.40 crore (60.8 per cent of OpRev) as compared to Rs 35.59 (63.1 per cent of OpRev) and almost flat (reduced by 0.1 per cent) QoQ as compared to Rs 39.45 crore (71 per cent of OpRev). Expenses in 9M-2016 increased 8.4 per cent to Rs 111.71 crore (66.6 per cent of OpRev) from Rs 103.02 crore (68.4 per cent of OpRev).

    Jagran Prakashan numbers in brief

    MBL’s parent company, Indian publishing company Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) reported 22.5 per cent increase in YoY consolidated operating revenue in Q3-2016 to Rs 576.36 crore as compared to Rs 470.46 crore. JPL’s advertising revenue increased 28.5 per cent YoY to Rs 434.82 crore from Rs 338.35 crore. Circulation revenues increased two per cent to Rs 102.02 crore from Rs 100 crore. JPL’s PAT in Q3-2016 increased 40.1 per cent YoY from Rs 66.62 crore.

    For 9M-2016, JBL reported 17.1 per cent increase in operating revenue to Rs 1577.02 crore from Rs 1347.02 crore in the corresponding prior year nine month period, advertising revenue increased 22.6 per cent to Rs 1169.36 crore from Rs 954.17 crore, circulation revenue increased 3.5 per cent to Rs 302.36 crore from Rs 292.15 crore. PAT in 9M-2016 after extraordinary item (Rs 116.30 crore) more than doubled (up 104.3 per cent) to Rs 364.52 crore from Rs 178.43 crore in 9M-2015.

  • Q3-2016: Activation fees boost Indian cable TV companies top & bottom lines

    Q3-2016: Activation fees boost Indian cable TV companies top & bottom lines

    BENGALURU: The Digital Addressable System (DAS) Phase III deadline has helped boost Indian cable TV companies’ top and bottom lines by way of higher than normal activation fees that they charge, and how! Be it Siti Cable, Hathway or Den Network amongst the major players in the field, the companies have reported higher revenues and profits or reduced losses for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter). Even a regional player like Ortel saw its cable TV connections rise by 32.7 per cent, both year-on-year (YoY) and quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). It is quite likely that without the hike in activation revenue, the big three players would have reported losses.

    Another significant development that has occurred in Q3-2016 is that Siti Cable has become the largest player in terms of revenue. Until the current quarter, it was placed at number three in terms of total revenue among the four players in this report. Den now stands at number two, while Hathway is at number three. Without activation revenue, it is Den that has the highest operating revenue followed by Siti Cable, with Hathway at number three and the minnow Ortel placed at number four in Q3-2016. Please refer to Fig A below. It must be noted that Ortel’s numbers are not indicated in Fig A. Its quarterly operating revenue was in the Rs 45 – 50 crore range as compared to the Rs 300 – Rs 370 crore of the other three players mentioned in this report.

    In terms of cable subscribers, again, it is Siti Cable as well as Ortel that have added cable subscription numbers, with the Den and Hathway cable subscriber base remaining stagnant. Siti Cable added about 11 lakh subscribers in the current quarter and now stands just behind Den. Hathway has moved behind a place to number three in terms of subscriber base. Ortel’s total cable subscriber base was less than six lakh at the end of December 2015. As a part of an on-going process that began with the implementation (even before in some cases) of DAS Phase I, most multi system operators (MSOs) have been replacing analogue set-top-boxes (STBs) with digital and High Definition (HD) boxes, this report does not dwell on these replacement numbers. 

    Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
    (2) Some figures are approximate.
    (3) Other income has not been factored in for EBIDTA in the report.
    (4) Some figures are estimates.
    (5) This report is more skewed towards the financial performance parameters in a limited way, rather than the operational and operational performance parameters of the sample companies.

    Other Revenue Streams

    Another revenue stream that is growing is wireline broadband internet (broadband). Revenue contribution from the broadband segment of each of the four companies has been increasing steadily, to the extent, that in the case of Hathway, broadband internet revenue was 26.2 per cent of operating revenue in Q2-2016 and Q3-2016. The companies have been regularly reporting increase in broadband internet subscription base. Many MSOs have been focusing on broadband internet as a growth engine for revenue and profitability because of the high average revenue per user (ARPU) that the segment brings in. Wireline Internet signals can ride on the MSOs’ existing cable fibre and they don’t have to lay fresh optics. Also, for most MSOs, it is easier to rope in existing cable subscribers for broadband internet services.

    From that point of view, Q3-2016 is an anomaly of sorts, and for this also, it is the higher than normal contribution to revenue by activation charges that is responsible. In Q3-2016, broadband revenue as percentage of operating revenue was either flat QoQ (Hathway) or has declined in the case of Siti Cable and Ortel, while it has increased marginally in the case of Den. But that does not imply that broadband revenue has declined, it is only that its contribution to overall revenue that has been affected. In absolute rupee terms, it has increased YoY and QoQ in Q3-2016 for all the four companies.

    Besides broadband, some companies such as Den have e-commerce portals and also manage a soccer team. This report does not cover those revenues.

    Cable Operations and Activation Fees, Profitability

    Cable operations revenue comprises Subscription Revenue, Activation Fees, Carriage or Placement charges and other income. Fig A1 below gives a breakup of the first three income streams of the three major players.

    Two of the four companies in this report have reported profit after tax (PAT) – Ortel and Siti Cable, while the other two have reported YoY and QoQ EBIDTA increase for the current quarter.

    Let us look at the profitable companies first from their cable operations and activation and profitability perspectives. Please refer to Fig B below.

    Siti Cable

    Last year, in Q4-2015, the Essel Group’s Dish TV reported profit for the first time and led the direct to home (DTH) industry in terms of improved numbers. The trend has continued so far. In Q3-2016, it is another Essel Group company from the carriage industry – Siti Cable that has reported profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 56 crore (15 per cent margin on operating revenue or OPREV) as compared to a loss of Rs 18.5 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and a loss of Rs 19.4 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The growth essentially has been driven by higher activation revenue in the current quarter due to the 11 lakh subscribers added in Q3-2016.

    Siti Cable’s activation revenue in the current quarter was almost eight times (grew 7.7 times) YoY at Rs 105 crore (28.4 per cent of OPREV) as compared to Rs 13.6 crore (6.1 per cent of OPREV) and grew by more than five times (5.4 times) QoQ as compared to Rs 19.4 crore (8.8 per cent of OPREV). EBIDTA in the current quarter more than doubled (up 2.6 times) YoY at Rs 129.9 crore as compared to Rs 50.1 crore and also more than doubled QoQ (up 2.5 times) from Rs 51.5 crore.

    Siti Cable executive director & CEO V D Wadhwa said, “Focussing on our guiding principle of creating value for all stakeholders, the company has achieved the financial turnaround for the first time in the history of the company and reported PBT of Rs 56 crore in Q3-2016 and Rs 5.1 crore for the nine months of FY16. At Siti Cable, our efforts to strive for operational excellence continue and during the quarter the company has added 1.1 million digital subscribers, over 10,000 broadband customers and achieved all-time high EBITDA growth of 159 per cent YoY. We expect this momentum to sustain in the coming quarters.”

    “We are also aggressively looking for inorganic growth opportunities in the geographies, which make strategic sense for us to expand and have acquired some networks in the western part of the country, which shall add additional 1.5 million subscribers to our existing subscriber base of 10.7 million. We strongly believe in cohesiveness among like-minded players and are actively engaged in our efforts as a consolidator in the industry,” he added.

    Ortel

    The Bibhu Prasad Rath led regional cable television and broadband internet player Ortel Communications Limited reported a 21.8 per cent YoY revenue (Total Income from Operations or TIO) at Rs 48.03 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 39.44 crore and 4.9 per cent QoQ growth as compared to Rs 45.79 crore. The company reported PAT in Q3-2016 at Rs 3.89 crore (8.1 per cent margin) as compared to a loss of Rs 0.1 crore in Q3-2015 and 37.5 per cent higher QoQ PAT as compared to Rs 2.83 crore (6.2 per cent margin). Ortel provides services in the Indian states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

    Ortel’s connection (activation) fees increased 32.7 per cent to Rs 1 crore as compared to Rs 0.70 crore and increased 33.8 per cent as compared to Rs 0.70 crore. Ortel’s YoY revenue generating units (RGU) grew 19 per cent to 626,475 as compared to 526,551 and increased 9.6 per cent QoQ as compared to 571,834 in Q2-2016. Cable TV RGUs increased 19.3 per cent YoY in Q3-2016 to 558,766 as compared to 468,274 and increased 10 per cent as compared to 508,171 in Q2-2016. Ortel’s YoY primary digital cable RGUs grew 33.9 per cent to 127,098 in Q3-2016 as compared to 94,926 in the corresponding prior year quarter and grew 8.3 per cent QoQ to 117,401. The company says that its cable TV penetration stood at 23.7 per cent in the current quarter.

    Ortel president and CEO Rath said, “I am delighted to share that our key strategy of LCO buyout is receiving huge response in our markets. Healthy addition to RGUs has led to strong growth of 38 per cent in bottom-line on a Q-o-Q basis. Given the strong pipeline of RGUs yet to be integrated, we are confident of improving upon this solid performance in the coming quarters.”

    “FY-2016 will be one-of-the-best-years in the history of Ortel Communications backed by record RGU additions and solid visibility for LCO buyouts in the coming year. With more than 90 per cent subscribers on ‘last mile,’ we remain committed to this model and strongly believe it will create tremendous value for all stakeholders going forward,” he added.

    Hathway

    Indian MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited reported 25.6 per cent YoY growth in standalone Total Income from Operations (TIO) in Q3-2016 at Rs 300.43 crore as compared to Rs 239.15 crore and 9.6 per cent more than the Rs 270.03 crore in Q2-2016.

    Activation revenue in Q3-2016 more than tripled (3.1 times) YoY to Rs 22.3 crore as compared to Rs 7.2 crore and was almost fivefold (4.7 times) the Rs 4.5 crore in Q2-2016.

    The company’s EBIDTA (excluding other income) in Q3-2016 more than doubled (by 2.02 times) YoY to Rs 49.81 crore (16.6 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 24.58 crore (10.3 per cent margin) and increased 45.8 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 34.15 crore (12.5 per cent margin) in the immediate trailing quarter. 

    Hathway’s loss in the current quarter reduced to Rs 32.58 crore, in Q3-2015 it was Rs 58.05 crore and in the immediate trailing quarter it was Rs 48.94 crore.

    Den Networks

    Den has reported activation revenue of Rs 86 crore in Q3-2016, more than fivefold YoY as compared to the Rs 15 crore in Q3-2015 and more the than three times the Rs 27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company says that it has added nine lakh digital subscribers in the current quarter, taking its digital subscriber base to 85 lakh as compared to the 76 lakh in the previous quarter. The company had reported a digital subscriber base of 68 lakh for the Q3-2015, hence the share of its digital subscriber base has gone up from 58 per cent in Q3-2015 to 65 per cent in the current quarter. The company says that its Cable DAS ARPU has increased 3.8 per cent to Rs 80 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 77 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Den reported a lower YoY and QoQ consolidated loss of Rs 48.37 crore in the current quarter as compared to a loss of Rs 62.60 crore in Q3-2015 and a loss of Rs 75.23 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    The company reported EBIDTA of Rs 42.99 crore (12.2 per cent margin) in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of Rs 0.28 crore (0.1 per cent margin) in Q3-2015 and an operating loss of Rs 11.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s pre-Activation Cable EBIDTA in the current quarter was Rs 6 crore as compared to the Rs 34 crore in Q3-2015 and a negative Cable EBIDTA of Rs 5 crore in Q2-2016.

    Broadband

    As mentioned above, while broadband revenue in the current quarter has increased YoY and QoQ for all the four companies in this report, it contribution to overall revenues has gone down in the case of two companies, is stable in the case of another one and has increased fractionally in the case of fourth company. Please refer to Fig C below.

    Hathway’s Broadband subscription revenue in Q3-2016 increased 53.4 per cent YoY to Rs 78.7 crore as compared to Rs 57.7 crore and increased 9.5 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 57.7 crore.

    Siti Cable Broadband revenue in the current quarter almost doubled (grew 99 per cent) at Rs 13.9 crore (3.8 per cent of OPREV) as compared to Rs 7 crore (3.2 per cent of OPREV) in Q3-2015 and increased 49.5 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 9.3 crore (four per cent of OPREV).

    Den has also ramped up its broadband subscribers by 33.3 per cent to 76,000 in the current quarter from 57,000 in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s broadband segment revenue increased by over five times YoY (5.5 times) at Rs 11.96 crore (3.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 2.17 crore (0.8 per cent of TIO) in corresponding prior year quarter and increased 58 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 8.23 crore (three per cent of TIO). The segment’s YoY operating loss increased to Rs 19.57 crore as compared to Rs 12.37 crore, but reduced QoQ as compared to Rs 23.07 crore. The company says that broadband ARPU has declined by Rs 10 in the current quarter to Rs 760 from Rs 770 in the previous quarter.

    Den’s Broadband Post Activation EBIDTA in Q3-2016 was negative Rs 16 crore as compared to the negative Rs 11 crore in Q3-2015 and negative Rs 20 crore in Q2-2016.

    Ortel’s broadband segment reported 16.3 per cent higher revenue at Rs 8.28 crore as compared to Rs 7.12 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and 1.7 per cent more than the Rs 8.14 crore in Q2-2016. The broadband segment reported an operating profit of Rs 4.78 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 4.52 crore in Q3-2015 and 9.1 per cent higher than the Rs 438 crore in Q2-2016.

    Ortel’s Rath said, “Broadband business continues to do well and remains a key focus area for us. We are working towards delivering notable growth in subscriber base, which would further augment our performance and overall profitability.”

    Concluding remarks

    With 31 December, 2016 as the sunset date for DAS phase IV, the next four quarters should be growth periods for the carriage industry – this includes cable, DTH and HITS (head-end in the sky) companies. How and how well they exploit this opportunity will decide their fate in the medium to long term. Two of the players in this report – Siti Cable and Ortel have said that they are looking at organic growth, and the growth in their subscription base over the past few quarters is a clear indication of that intent. Companies’ toplines and bottomlines will definitely grow over the next few quarters.

    Cable industry players face competition from the existing internet service players like the behemoth Airtel, which is the second largest wireline broadband player in the country after the public sector BSNL. While BSNL and the third largest wireline internet services player in the country – another public sector company MTNL, have been stagnating or losing in terms of subscribers, another MSO, a regional player, ACT Broadband is the fourth largest wireline broadband internet services company in the country. ACT had about 8.4 lakh subscribers at the end of November 2015. It has laid separate optic fibre for internet, rather than let it ride on its cable fibre network and has been canvassing for customers as a pure wireline internet services player in areas where it does not have cable subscribers.

    The race between activation fees and broadband revenue in terms of growth is likely to continue over the next few quarters, until the industry reaches maturity and activation revenues peter out. It remains to be seen how the companies will perform once the big revenue stream from activation fees dries up. Notwithstanding, the court stays that some players in carriage industry will obtain to delay the digitisation process, the next 24 months should be an interesting time for carriage ecosystem as it matures.

  • Q3-2016: Activation fees boost Indian cable TV companies top & bottom lines

    Q3-2016: Activation fees boost Indian cable TV companies top & bottom lines

    BENGALURU: The Digital Addressable System (DAS) Phase III deadline has helped boost Indian cable TV companies’ top and bottom lines by way of higher than normal activation fees that they charge, and how! Be it Siti Cable, Hathway or Den Network amongst the major players in the field, the companies have reported higher revenues and profits or reduced losses for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter). Even a regional player like Ortel saw its cable TV connections rise by 32.7 per cent, both year-on-year (YoY) and quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). It is quite likely that without the hike in activation revenue, the big three players would have reported losses.

    Another significant development that has occurred in Q3-2016 is that Siti Cable has become the largest player in terms of revenue. Until the current quarter, it was placed at number three in terms of total revenue among the four players in this report. Den now stands at number two, while Hathway is at number three. Without activation revenue, it is Den that has the highest operating revenue followed by Siti Cable, with Hathway at number three and the minnow Ortel placed at number four in Q3-2016. Please refer to Fig A below. It must be noted that Ortel’s numbers are not indicated in Fig A. Its quarterly operating revenue was in the Rs 45 – 50 crore range as compared to the Rs 300 – Rs 370 crore of the other three players mentioned in this report.

    In terms of cable subscribers, again, it is Siti Cable as well as Ortel that have added cable subscription numbers, with the Den and Hathway cable subscriber base remaining stagnant. Siti Cable added about 11 lakh subscribers in the current quarter and now stands just behind Den. Hathway has moved behind a place to number three in terms of subscriber base. Ortel’s total cable subscriber base was less than six lakh at the end of December 2015. As a part of an on-going process that began with the implementation (even before in some cases) of DAS Phase I, most multi system operators (MSOs) have been replacing analogue set-top-boxes (STBs) with digital and High Definition (HD) boxes, this report does not dwell on these replacement numbers. 

    Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
    (2) Some figures are approximate.
    (3) Other income has not been factored in for EBIDTA in the report.
    (4) Some figures are estimates.
    (5) This report is more skewed towards the financial performance parameters in a limited way, rather than the operational and operational performance parameters of the sample companies.

    Other Revenue Streams

    Another revenue stream that is growing is wireline broadband internet (broadband). Revenue contribution from the broadband segment of each of the four companies has been increasing steadily, to the extent, that in the case of Hathway, broadband internet revenue was 26.2 per cent of operating revenue in Q2-2016 and Q3-2016. The companies have been regularly reporting increase in broadband internet subscription base. Many MSOs have been focusing on broadband internet as a growth engine for revenue and profitability because of the high average revenue per user (ARPU) that the segment brings in. Wireline Internet signals can ride on the MSOs’ existing cable fibre and they don’t have to lay fresh optics. Also, for most MSOs, it is easier to rope in existing cable subscribers for broadband internet services.

    From that point of view, Q3-2016 is an anomaly of sorts, and for this also, it is the higher than normal contribution to revenue by activation charges that is responsible. In Q3-2016, broadband revenue as percentage of operating revenue was either flat QoQ (Hathway) or has declined in the case of Siti Cable and Ortel, while it has increased marginally in the case of Den. But that does not imply that broadband revenue has declined, it is only that its contribution to overall revenue that has been affected. In absolute rupee terms, it has increased YoY and QoQ in Q3-2016 for all the four companies.

    Besides broadband, some companies such as Den have e-commerce portals and also manage a soccer team. This report does not cover those revenues.

    Cable Operations and Activation Fees, Profitability

    Cable operations revenue comprises Subscription Revenue, Activation Fees, Carriage or Placement charges and other income. Fig A1 below gives a breakup of the first three income streams of the three major players.

    Two of the four companies in this report have reported profit after tax (PAT) – Ortel and Siti Cable, while the other two have reported YoY and QoQ EBIDTA increase for the current quarter.

    Let us look at the profitable companies first from their cable operations and activation and profitability perspectives. Please refer to Fig B below.

    Siti Cable

    Last year, in Q4-2015, the Essel Group’s Dish TV reported profit for the first time and led the direct to home (DTH) industry in terms of improved numbers. The trend has continued so far. In Q3-2016, it is another Essel Group company from the carriage industry – Siti Cable that has reported profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 56 crore (15 per cent margin on operating revenue or OPREV) as compared to a loss of Rs 18.5 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and a loss of Rs 19.4 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The growth essentially has been driven by higher activation revenue in the current quarter due to the 11 lakh subscribers added in Q3-2016.

    Siti Cable’s activation revenue in the current quarter was almost eight times (grew 7.7 times) YoY at Rs 105 crore (28.4 per cent of OPREV) as compared to Rs 13.6 crore (6.1 per cent of OPREV) and grew by more than five times (5.4 times) QoQ as compared to Rs 19.4 crore (8.8 per cent of OPREV). EBIDTA in the current quarter more than doubled (up 2.6 times) YoY at Rs 129.9 crore as compared to Rs 50.1 crore and also more than doubled QoQ (up 2.5 times) from Rs 51.5 crore.

    Siti Cable executive director & CEO V D Wadhwa said, “Focussing on our guiding principle of creating value for all stakeholders, the company has achieved the financial turnaround for the first time in the history of the company and reported PBT of Rs 56 crore in Q3-2016 and Rs 5.1 crore for the nine months of FY16. At Siti Cable, our efforts to strive for operational excellence continue and during the quarter the company has added 1.1 million digital subscribers, over 10,000 broadband customers and achieved all-time high EBITDA growth of 159 per cent YoY. We expect this momentum to sustain in the coming quarters.”

    “We are also aggressively looking for inorganic growth opportunities in the geographies, which make strategic sense for us to expand and have acquired some networks in the western part of the country, which shall add additional 1.5 million subscribers to our existing subscriber base of 10.7 million. We strongly believe in cohesiveness among like-minded players and are actively engaged in our efforts as a consolidator in the industry,” he added.

    Ortel

    The Bibhu Prasad Rath led regional cable television and broadband internet player Ortel Communications Limited reported a 21.8 per cent YoY revenue (Total Income from Operations or TIO) at Rs 48.03 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 39.44 crore and 4.9 per cent QoQ growth as compared to Rs 45.79 crore. The company reported PAT in Q3-2016 at Rs 3.89 crore (8.1 per cent margin) as compared to a loss of Rs 0.1 crore in Q3-2015 and 37.5 per cent higher QoQ PAT as compared to Rs 2.83 crore (6.2 per cent margin). Ortel provides services in the Indian states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

    Ortel’s connection (activation) fees increased 32.7 per cent to Rs 1 crore as compared to Rs 0.70 crore and increased 33.8 per cent as compared to Rs 0.70 crore. Ortel’s YoY revenue generating units (RGU) grew 19 per cent to 626,475 as compared to 526,551 and increased 9.6 per cent QoQ as compared to 571,834 in Q2-2016. Cable TV RGUs increased 19.3 per cent YoY in Q3-2016 to 558,766 as compared to 468,274 and increased 10 per cent as compared to 508,171 in Q2-2016. Ortel’s YoY primary digital cable RGUs grew 33.9 per cent to 127,098 in Q3-2016 as compared to 94,926 in the corresponding prior year quarter and grew 8.3 per cent QoQ to 117,401. The company says that its cable TV penetration stood at 23.7 per cent in the current quarter.

    Ortel president and CEO Rath said, “I am delighted to share that our key strategy of LCO buyout is receiving huge response in our markets. Healthy addition to RGUs has led to strong growth of 38 per cent in bottom-line on a Q-o-Q basis. Given the strong pipeline of RGUs yet to be integrated, we are confident of improving upon this solid performance in the coming quarters.”

    “FY-2016 will be one-of-the-best-years in the history of Ortel Communications backed by record RGU additions and solid visibility for LCO buyouts in the coming year. With more than 90 per cent subscribers on ‘last mile,’ we remain committed to this model and strongly believe it will create tremendous value for all stakeholders going forward,” he added.

    Hathway

    Indian MSO Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited reported 25.6 per cent YoY growth in standalone Total Income from Operations (TIO) in Q3-2016 at Rs 300.43 crore as compared to Rs 239.15 crore and 9.6 per cent more than the Rs 270.03 crore in Q2-2016.

    Activation revenue in Q3-2016 more than tripled (3.1 times) YoY to Rs 22.3 crore as compared to Rs 7.2 crore and was almost fivefold (4.7 times) the Rs 4.5 crore in Q2-2016.

    The company’s EBIDTA (excluding other income) in Q3-2016 more than doubled (by 2.02 times) YoY to Rs 49.81 crore (16.6 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 24.58 crore (10.3 per cent margin) and increased 45.8 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 34.15 crore (12.5 per cent margin) in the immediate trailing quarter. 

    Hathway’s loss in the current quarter reduced to Rs 32.58 crore, in Q3-2015 it was Rs 58.05 crore and in the immediate trailing quarter it was Rs 48.94 crore.

    Den Networks

    Den has reported activation revenue of Rs 86 crore in Q3-2016, more than fivefold YoY as compared to the Rs 15 crore in Q3-2015 and more the than three times the Rs 27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company says that it has added nine lakh digital subscribers in the current quarter, taking its digital subscriber base to 85 lakh as compared to the 76 lakh in the previous quarter. The company had reported a digital subscriber base of 68 lakh for the Q3-2015, hence the share of its digital subscriber base has gone up from 58 per cent in Q3-2015 to 65 per cent in the current quarter. The company says that its Cable DAS ARPU has increased 3.8 per cent to Rs 80 in the current quarter as compared to Rs 77 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Den reported a lower YoY and QoQ consolidated loss of Rs 48.37 crore in the current quarter as compared to a loss of Rs 62.60 crore in Q3-2015 and a loss of Rs 75.23 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    The company reported EBIDTA of Rs 42.99 crore (12.2 per cent margin) in the current quarter as compared to an operating profit of Rs 0.28 crore (0.1 per cent margin) in Q3-2015 and an operating loss of Rs 11.27 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s pre-Activation Cable EBIDTA in the current quarter was Rs 6 crore as compared to the Rs 34 crore in Q3-2015 and a negative Cable EBIDTA of Rs 5 crore in Q2-2016.

    Broadband

    As mentioned above, while broadband revenue in the current quarter has increased YoY and QoQ for all the four companies in this report, it contribution to overall revenues has gone down in the case of two companies, is stable in the case of another one and has increased fractionally in the case of fourth company. Please refer to Fig C below.

    Hathway’s Broadband subscription revenue in Q3-2016 increased 53.4 per cent YoY to Rs 78.7 crore as compared to Rs 57.7 crore and increased 9.5 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 57.7 crore.

    Siti Cable Broadband revenue in the current quarter almost doubled (grew 99 per cent) at Rs 13.9 crore (3.8 per cent of OPREV) as compared to Rs 7 crore (3.2 per cent of OPREV) in Q3-2015 and increased 49.5 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 9.3 crore (four per cent of OPREV).

    Den has also ramped up its broadband subscribers by 33.3 per cent to 76,000 in the current quarter from 57,000 in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s broadband segment revenue increased by over five times YoY (5.5 times) at Rs 11.96 crore (3.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 2.17 crore (0.8 per cent of TIO) in corresponding prior year quarter and increased 58 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 8.23 crore (three per cent of TIO). The segment’s YoY operating loss increased to Rs 19.57 crore as compared to Rs 12.37 crore, but reduced QoQ as compared to Rs 23.07 crore. The company says that broadband ARPU has declined by Rs 10 in the current quarter to Rs 760 from Rs 770 in the previous quarter.

    Den’s Broadband Post Activation EBIDTA in Q3-2016 was negative Rs 16 crore as compared to the negative Rs 11 crore in Q3-2015 and negative Rs 20 crore in Q2-2016.

    Ortel’s broadband segment reported 16.3 per cent higher revenue at Rs 8.28 crore as compared to Rs 7.12 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter and 1.7 per cent more than the Rs 8.14 crore in Q2-2016. The broadband segment reported an operating profit of Rs 4.78 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 4.52 crore in Q3-2015 and 9.1 per cent higher than the Rs 438 crore in Q2-2016.

    Ortel’s Rath said, “Broadband business continues to do well and remains a key focus area for us. We are working towards delivering notable growth in subscriber base, which would further augment our performance and overall profitability.”

    Concluding remarks

    With 31 December, 2016 as the sunset date for DAS phase IV, the next four quarters should be growth periods for the carriage industry – this includes cable, DTH and HITS (head-end in the sky) companies. How and how well they exploit this opportunity will decide their fate in the medium to long term. Two of the players in this report – Siti Cable and Ortel have said that they are looking at organic growth, and the growth in their subscription base over the past few quarters is a clear indication of that intent. Companies’ toplines and bottomlines will definitely grow over the next few quarters.

    Cable industry players face competition from the existing internet service players like the behemoth Airtel, which is the second largest wireline broadband player in the country after the public sector BSNL. While BSNL and the third largest wireline internet services player in the country – another public sector company MTNL, have been stagnating or losing in terms of subscribers, another MSO, a regional player, ACT Broadband is the fourth largest wireline broadband internet services company in the country. ACT had about 8.4 lakh subscribers at the end of November 2015. It has laid separate optic fibre for internet, rather than let it ride on its cable fibre network and has been canvassing for customers as a pure wireline internet services player in areas where it does not have cable subscribers.

    The race between activation fees and broadband revenue in terms of growth is likely to continue over the next few quarters, until the industry reaches maturity and activation revenues peter out. It remains to be seen how the companies will perform once the big revenue stream from activation fees dries up. Notwithstanding, the court stays that some players in carriage industry will obtain to delay the digitisation process, the next 24 months should be an interesting time for carriage ecosystem as it matures.

  • Q2-2016: Prime Focus revenue up 47% ;EBIDTA doubles

    Q2-2016: Prime Focus revenue up 47% ;EBIDTA doubles

    BENGALURU: Prime Focus Limited (PFL) reported 47 per cent YoY revenue growth for the quarter ending 31 December, 2015 (Q2-2016, current quarter) at Rs 468.52 crore from Rs 318.67 crore in Q2-2015 and 4.4 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 448.57 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company reported more than double (2.02 times) YoY EBITA at Rs 75.56 crore (15.3 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 35.48 crore (11.1 per cent margin) and 37.4 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 52.07 crore (11.6 per cent margin).

    Notes: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million =1 crore
    (2) The company had filed results for a fifteen month period ended June 30, 2014, hence YoY comparison is being done between Q2-2016 and Q2-2015 and QoQ comparison is between Q2-2016 and Q1-2016 (quarter ended September, 2015).

    The company reported a lower net loss of Rs 11.40 crore in Q2-2016, a loss of Rs 36.17 crore in Q2-2015 and a loss of Rs 22.51 crore in Q1-2016. 

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by PFL

    Figures A and B below show PFL’s major expense heads. As is obvious, a major expense head for the company is employee benefit expense or EBE.

    PFL’s EBE in Q2-2016 at Rs 284.10 crore (62.4 per cent of TIO) was 43.8 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs 197.54 crore and (62 per cent of TIO) and was almost flat (went up by 0.5 per cent) QoQ as compared to Rs 282.57 crore (61.6 per cent of TIO).

    Technician’s Fees in the current quarter increased 19.6 per cent YoY to Rs 7.88 crore (1.7 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 6.35 crore (2.1 per cent of TIO), but declined 19.3 per cent QoQ from Rs 9.77 crore (2.2 per cent of TIO).

    Fig B indicates that EBE also shows a linear upward trend in terms of percentage of TIO over the twelve quarters starting Q4-2013 until the current quarter Q2-2016. EBE has been the highest in Q2-2016 (62.4 per cent) in terms of absolute rupees, but in terms of percentage of TIO, it was highest in Q3-2015 at 64 per cent.

    Finance and Interest cost in Q12-2016 at Rs 25.11 crore (5.4 per cent of TIO) increased 45.3 per cent YoY from Rs 17.28 crore (5.4 per cent of TIO) and increased 41.4 per cent QoQ from Rs 17.75 crore (four per cent of TIO).

  • Q2-2016: Prime Focus revenue up 47% ;EBIDTA doubles

    Q2-2016: Prime Focus revenue up 47% ;EBIDTA doubles

    BENGALURU: Prime Focus Limited (PFL) reported 47 per cent YoY revenue growth for the quarter ending 31 December, 2015 (Q2-2016, current quarter) at Rs 468.52 crore from Rs 318.67 crore in Q2-2015 and 4.4 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 448.57 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company reported more than double (2.02 times) YoY EBITA at Rs 75.56 crore (15.3 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 35.48 crore (11.1 per cent margin) and 37.4 per cent higher QoQ as compared to Rs 52.07 crore (11.6 per cent margin).

    Notes: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million =1 crore
    (2) The company had filed results for a fifteen month period ended June 30, 2014, hence YoY comparison is being done between Q2-2016 and Q2-2015 and QoQ comparison is between Q2-2016 and Q1-2016 (quarter ended September, 2015).

    The company reported a lower net loss of Rs 11.40 crore in Q2-2016, a loss of Rs 36.17 crore in Q2-2015 and a loss of Rs 22.51 crore in Q1-2016. 

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by PFL

    Figures A and B below show PFL’s major expense heads. As is obvious, a major expense head for the company is employee benefit expense or EBE.

    PFL’s EBE in Q2-2016 at Rs 284.10 crore (62.4 per cent of TIO) was 43.8 per cent higher YoY as compared to Rs 197.54 crore and (62 per cent of TIO) and was almost flat (went up by 0.5 per cent) QoQ as compared to Rs 282.57 crore (61.6 per cent of TIO).

    Technician’s Fees in the current quarter increased 19.6 per cent YoY to Rs 7.88 crore (1.7 per cent of TIO) as compared to Rs 6.35 crore (2.1 per cent of TIO), but declined 19.3 per cent QoQ from Rs 9.77 crore (2.2 per cent of TIO).

    Fig B indicates that EBE also shows a linear upward trend in terms of percentage of TIO over the twelve quarters starting Q4-2013 until the current quarter Q2-2016. EBE has been the highest in Q2-2016 (62.4 per cent) in terms of absolute rupees, but in terms of percentage of TIO, it was highest in Q3-2015 at 64 per cent.

    Finance and Interest cost in Q12-2016 at Rs 25.11 crore (5.4 per cent of TIO) increased 45.3 per cent YoY from Rs 17.28 crore (5.4 per cent of TIO) and increased 41.4 per cent QoQ from Rs 17.75 crore (four per cent of TIO).

  • Q3-2016: Balaji revenue up 8%; reports higher programming hours

    Q3-2016: Balaji revenue up 8%; reports higher programming hours

    BENGALURU: Balaji Telefilms Limited reported eight per cent YoY growth in total income from operations (TIO) at Rs 78.65 for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) as compared to Rs 71.54 crore and 43.8 per cent QoQ jump from Rs 52.85 crore.

    Note:  (1)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    Commissioned programs in the current quarter increased 24.4 per cent YoY to 712.2 hours as compared to 572.7 hours and increased 47.6 per cent as compared to 482.6 hours in the immediate trailing quarter. Net realisation per hour of commissioned programs increased 17.5 per cent YoY to Rs 24.2 lakh as compared to Rs 20.6 lakh, and was almost flat QoQ as compared to Rs 24.3 lakh.

    The company’s revenue from commissioned programs segment in Q3-2016 increased 16.2 per cent YoY to Rs 72.01 crore as compared to Rs 61.97 crore and rose 40.7 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 51.18. The segment’s operating profit in the current quarter more than doubled (by 2.5 times) YoY to Rs 18.94 crore and increased 45.7 per cent QoQ to Rs 13 crore.

    Balaji’s other segment – Films, reported revenue of just Rs 1.12 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 0.13 crore in Q3-2015 and Rs 1.64 in the immediate trailing quarter. The Films’ segment reported operating loss of Rs 1.91 crore in the current quarter as compared to an operating loss of Rs 2.83 crore in Q3-2015 and an operating profit of Rs 0.06 crore in Q2-2016.

    Other consolidated numbers reported by Balaji Telefilms

    Total Expenditure in the current quarter declined 16.1 per cent YoY to Rs 68.68 crore as compared to Rs 81.81 crore, but increased 49.8 per cent as compared to Rs 45.85 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    The company’s cost of production/acquisition and telecast fees increased 5.7 per cent YoY to Rs 68.04 crore as compared to Rs 64.39 crore, but declined 15.3 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 80.22 crore.

    Staff cost increased 16.9 per cent YoY to Rs 4.89 crore as compared to Rs 4.19 crore but reduced 1.2 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 4.95.

    Balaji Telefilms standalone numbers

    Balaji Telefilms’ YoY standalone profit after tax (PAT) catapulted more than six-fold at Rs 20.66 crore (28.7 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 3.09 crore (5.4 per cent margin) and was double QoQ as compared to Rs 10.31 crore (20.2 per cent standalone margin) in the immediate trailing quarter. 
    The company reported 26 per cent YoY increase in standalone total income from operations (TIO) in the current quarter to Rs 72.3 crore from Rs 57.27 crore and 41 per cent jump from Rs 51.11 crore in Q2-2016.

    Standalone EBIDTA more than quadrupled (by 4.24 times) YoY in Q3-2016 at Rs 18.05 crore as compared to Rs 4.25 crore and almost doubled (up 94 per cent) as compared to Rs 9.32 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

  • Q3-2016: Balaji revenue up 8%; reports higher programming hours

    Q3-2016: Balaji revenue up 8%; reports higher programming hours

    BENGALURU: Balaji Telefilms Limited reported eight per cent YoY growth in total income from operations (TIO) at Rs 78.65 for the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q3-2016, current quarter) as compared to Rs 71.54 crore and 43.8 per cent QoQ jump from Rs 52.85 crore.

    Note:  (1)100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    Commissioned programs in the current quarter increased 24.4 per cent YoY to 712.2 hours as compared to 572.7 hours and increased 47.6 per cent as compared to 482.6 hours in the immediate trailing quarter. Net realisation per hour of commissioned programs increased 17.5 per cent YoY to Rs 24.2 lakh as compared to Rs 20.6 lakh, and was almost flat QoQ as compared to Rs 24.3 lakh.

    The company’s revenue from commissioned programs segment in Q3-2016 increased 16.2 per cent YoY to Rs 72.01 crore as compared to Rs 61.97 crore and rose 40.7 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 51.18. The segment’s operating profit in the current quarter more than doubled (by 2.5 times) YoY to Rs 18.94 crore and increased 45.7 per cent QoQ to Rs 13 crore.

    Balaji’s other segment – Films, reported revenue of just Rs 1.12 crore in the current quarter as compared to Rs 0.13 crore in Q3-2015 and Rs 1.64 in the immediate trailing quarter. The Films’ segment reported operating loss of Rs 1.91 crore in the current quarter as compared to an operating loss of Rs 2.83 crore in Q3-2015 and an operating profit of Rs 0.06 crore in Q2-2016.

    Other consolidated numbers reported by Balaji Telefilms

    Total Expenditure in the current quarter declined 16.1 per cent YoY to Rs 68.68 crore as compared to Rs 81.81 crore, but increased 49.8 per cent as compared to Rs 45.85 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

    The company’s cost of production/acquisition and telecast fees increased 5.7 per cent YoY to Rs 68.04 crore as compared to Rs 64.39 crore, but declined 15.3 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 80.22 crore.

    Staff cost increased 16.9 per cent YoY to Rs 4.89 crore as compared to Rs 4.19 crore but reduced 1.2 per cent QoQ as compared to Rs 4.95.

    Balaji Telefilms standalone numbers

    Balaji Telefilms’ YoY standalone profit after tax (PAT) catapulted more than six-fold at Rs 20.66 crore (28.7 per cent margin) as compared to Rs 3.09 crore (5.4 per cent margin) and was double QoQ as compared to Rs 10.31 crore (20.2 per cent standalone margin) in the immediate trailing quarter. 
    The company reported 26 per cent YoY increase in standalone total income from operations (TIO) in the current quarter to Rs 72.3 crore from Rs 57.27 crore and 41 per cent jump from Rs 51.11 crore in Q2-2016.

    Standalone EBIDTA more than quadrupled (by 4.24 times) YoY in Q3-2016 at Rs 18.05 crore as compared to Rs 4.25 crore and almost doubled (up 94 per cent) as compared to Rs 9.32 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.