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Tag: Siti Networks Limited

  • Yogesh Sharma takes over as Siti Networks CEO

    Yogesh Sharma takes over as Siti Networks CEO

    Mumbai: Siti Networks Ltd, an Essel Group company has appointed Yogesh Sharma as chief executive officer from 1 January.

    Sharma joined Siti Networks as vice president in 2018 and became the chief operating officer in 2019. He has been instrumental in introducing innovative ideas, implementing new processes and competitive strategies to achieve market leadership, said the company in a statement. He has led tactical initiatives and best practices to streamline the operational framework by setting up a robust system at the company, it added.

    “It is an honor to lead Siti Networks. We will be working to enhance our ground connect and introduce new business models focused on leveraging our distribution strength and offering innovative products for our customers,” said Yogesh Sharma on his new role.    

    Sharma, with over 28 years of rich experience, has a proven record of driving operational excellence across organisations. He has dynamic leadership capabilities in business expansion through strategic initiatives, transformational leadership, strengthening operational capabilities, project controls, and implementing best practices. He has extensive experience with national MSOs like DEN Networks, Hathway Cable, and IMCL-Indusind Media and Communication.

    Sharma is a mechanical engineer from Pune University and has attended the prestigious INSEAD leadership programme for senior executives (ILPSE) from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.

  • Siti Networks reports improved numbers for FY 2020

    Siti Networks reports improved numbers for FY 2020

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s MSO major Siti Networks Limited reported 5.3 percent higher consolidated simple EBIDTA for the year ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year or period under review) as compared to the previous year FY 2019. The company reported a 12.2 percent increase in operating revenue for the period under review as compared to the previous year. All numbers mentioned in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.

    The company has managed to reduce its major expenses, but for Pay Channel, Carriage Sharing & Related Costs (pay channel costs) in FY 2020 which increased 29 percent as compared to the previous year. Overall expenses increased 7.7 percent on account of these pay channel costs. In a note to the financial statements, Siti has explained that its operating revenue includes broadcaster share of subscription revenue, hence it has shown the broadcasters share in its pay channel costs as an expense.

    In its earnings release, Siti says that Subscription Revenue for Q4 2020 grew 25.3 percent y-o-y to Rs. 2,842 million. For FY 2020, Subscription Revenue surged 21.3 percent to Rs.11,567 million.

    The consolidated operating revenue figures reported by Siti are Rs 1,618.59 crore and Rs 1,442.13 crore for FY 2020 and FY 2019 respectively, hence a growth of 12.2 percent as mentioned above. Simple EBIDTA as calculated by the author for FY 2020 was Rs 340.64 crore (21 percent of operating revenue) and for FY 2019 it was Rs 323.61 crore (22.4 percent of operating revenue). Loss for the year under review reduced to Rs 188 crore from Rs 264 crore in the previous year.

    For Q4 2020, Siti’s consolidated operating revenue was Rs 27.8 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 408.29 crore as compared to Rs 415.06 crore in Q4 2019. Simple EBIDTA for Q4 2020 as calculated by the author increased 22.1 percent to Rs 81.58 crore (20 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 66.78 crore (20.9 percent of operating revenue). Loss for the quarter was lower at Rs 70.30 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 123.93 for Q4 2019.

    CEO of Siti CEO Anil Malhotra mentioned: “SITI Networks continued its consistent growth focus while maintaining a strict control on operational efficiencies during FY 2020. Our subscription revenue for Q4 2020 grew by 25.3 percent y-o-y, while our total revenue grew by approximately 23 percent y-o-y. Even for FY 2020, our total revenue jumped by 15.3 percent to Rs. 16,354 million. Our constant mantra of improving operational efficiencies while improving monetization helped us to deliver strong operating EBITDA at INR 3,538 million, in FY 2020, a surge of 1.2 times. Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been widely appreciated. Our teams and partners have left no stone unturned to ensure that our customers get the best services."

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Siti

    Total expense in FY 2020 increased 7.7 percent to Rs 1,781,33 crore from Rs 1,654,21 crore in the previous year. Amongst the major expense heads, Pay Channel, Carriage Share & Related Costs increased 29 percent in FY 2020 to Rs 843.96 crore from Rs 654.14 crore in FY 2019. Finance costs in FY 2020 declined 7.6 percent to Rs 157.68 crore from Rs 170.72 crore in FY 2019. Employee benefits expense in FY 2020 declined 8 percent to Rs 74.78 crore from Rs 81.32 crore in the previous year. Other expenses in FY 2020 declined 5.6 percent to Rs 357.70 crore from Rs 378.79 crore in FY 2019.

    Total expense in Q4 2020 increased 16.7 percent to Rs 451.03 crore from Rs 386.39 crore in Q4 2019. Amongst the major expense heads, Pay Channel, Carriage Share & Related Costs increased 47.9 percent in Q4 2020 to Rs 212.82 crore from Rs 143.94 crore. Finance costs in Q4 2020 declined 20.5 percent to Rs 35.52 crore from Rs 44,66 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Employee benefits expense in Q4 2020 declined 9.4 percent to Rs 16.95 crore from Rs 18.71 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Other expenses in Q4 2020 increased 9.1 percent to Rs 96.53 crore from Rs 88.44 crore in Q4 2019.

  • SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    SITI Networks’ FY20 Operating EBITDA surges 1.2X Y-o-Y to Rs.3,538 Mn

    New Delhi: SITI Networks Limited (BSE: 532795, NSE: SITINET), an Essel Group Company, one of India’s largest Multi-System Operators (MSO), has released its Consolidated Audited Financial Results for Q4 and full year FY20, ending March 31, 2020. On the back of sustained efforts in FY20, SITI reported continuous growth through operational efficiencies and strict control on expenses across all metrics.  

    SITI’s Operating EBITDA for FY20 surged by 1.2x to Rs.3,538 Mn by efficiently leveraging existing operating resources. SITI’s Operating EBITDA for Q4FY20 also jumped 2.5% to Rs. 861 Mn year on year. Q4FY20 also saw further consolidation in SITI’s Operating EBITDA Margins which grew 1.02X to 21.6% on y-o-y basis. 

    Subscription Revenue for Q4FY20 grew 25.3% y-o-y to Rs. 2,842 Mn. For FY20 too, Subscription Revenue surged 21.3% to Rs.11,567 Mn. Total Revenue (excluding activation) for Q4FY20 surged ~23% y-o-y to Rs. 4,128 Mn. FY20 Total Revenue (excluding activation) also jumped 15.3% over FY19 to Rs.16,354 Mn. 

    SITI Broadband continued its focus on providing the best technology to its customers by launching a composite FTTX based network architecture which would make enable customer premises with the best of online and linear content. Implementation of this composite model will benefit both SITI Networks and SITI Broadband, while providing IOT based services to customers.  

    In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, SITI’s team and 24,000+ strong distribution network is playing a significant role. During lockdown, SITI’s field staff, Contact Centre and Distribution Partners worked diligently on the ground to ensure that customers stayed indoors and provided best in class infotainment and keep the world connected to them. To cope with the lockdown and the need to protect its staff, SITI also ensured remote work from home for all its staff while maintaining strict quality control and monitoring of services.   
     
    While commenting on the results, Mr. Anil Malhotra, CEO of SITI Networks Limited mentioned:  
     
    “SITI Networks continued its consistent growth focus while maintaining a strict control on operational efficiencies during FY20. Our subscription revenue for Q4FY20 grew by 25.3% YoY, while our total revenue grew by ~23% YoY. Even for FY20, our total revenue jumped by 15.3% to Rs. 16,354 Mn. Our constant mantra of improving operational efficiencies while improving monetization helped us to deliver strong operating EBITDA at INR3,538 mn, in FY20, a surge of 1.2 times. Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been widely appreciated. Our teams and partners have left no stone unturned to ensure that our customers get the best services."

  • SITI Networks Operating EBITDA leaps 1.9x YoY to 930 Mn

    SITI Networks Operating EBITDA leaps 1.9x YoY to 930 Mn

    MUMBAI: SITI Networks Limited, an Essel Group company, with 55Mn+ consumers and presence across 580+ locations in India, has released its Consolidated Unaudited Financial Results for Q3FY19, continuing its consistent growth across various parameters.

    On the back of disciplined execution, SITI reported growth in its Operating EBITDA by 1.4x QoQ and 1.9x YoY. SITI Operating EBITDA Margin also expanded significantly by 975 bps YoY to 24.5 per cent in Q3FY19. This was also supported by flattish operating expenses on a YoY basis and effecting a reduction of 7 per cent QoQ.

    Subscription revenue spiked 21.4 per cent YoY to Rs. 2,571 Mn in Q3FY19, aided by the steady growth in Digital Subscription. 9M subscription revenue grew even faster at 24 per cent, and was at INR 7,268 mn.

    Blended ARPU increased substantially by 19 per cent YoY. This ARPU improvement was broad based across phases, with SITI’s ubiquitous presence in Phase 3 and 4 showing 23 per cent and 35 per cent growth respectively. SNL also ensured subscription collection efficiency of 94 per cent in Q3FY19.

    In the quarter ending December 2018, SITI ended with an Active Subscriber base at 11.55 Mn. SITI added 36,000 HD customers and currently has an active HD subscriber base of 4.24 lakhs.

    Mr. Rajesh Sethi, on implementation of Tariff Order through utilization of technology and digital mediums, explained SITIs initiatives:

    “We made extensive preparations for a considered migration to the new tariff order regime with a focus on customer choice, business associate exigency and regulatory compliance. The functionality of our Subscriber Management System was significantly enhanced to allow for seamless transition.

    SITI undertook widespread usage of digital mediums, launching a customer self-care portal & “MySiti” Android App for the end consumer to enable freedom of choice, online payment and other functionalities direct to the customer; The call center capacity was upgraded to ensure a prompt response for all customers and business associates; SITI also established multilingual call centers across the country to ensure dialectal friendly customer communication and handholding.

     SITI also launched a new Campaign – “Aap ka Manoranjan, Aap ki Marzi” on TV Screen, Web and Social Media to educate customers. SITI is providing multiple bespoke suggestive packs, a-la-carte and broadcaster bouquets to the end consumer providing wholesome entertainment to all members of the family across various geographies, in compliance with the new regulatory regime. ”

    While commenting on the results, Mr. Rajesh Sethi of SITI Networks Limited mentioned: “SITI Networks continued its strong growth trajectory and grew its 9M Subscription revenue by 24 per cent YoY. This coupled with leveraging inherent operational synergies allowed us to deliver stupendous 9M Operating EBITDA at INR2,161 mn, a growth of 118 per cent YoY. Simultaneously, a focus on prudence and lean operations expanded Operating EBITDA margins 1.9x to 20 per cent.”

  • SITI Networks declares superlative growth on quarterly and y-o-y basis

    SITI Networks declares superlative growth on quarterly and y-o-y basis

    MUMBAI: SITI Networks Limited (BSE: 532795, NSE: SITINET), an Essel Group company, with 55Mn+ consumers and presence across 580+ locations in India, has released its Consolidated Financial Results for Q2FY19, ending September 30, 2018, showcasing superlative growth across all metrics, both quarterly and year-on- year.

    SITI’s Operating EBITDA grew 2.52x over second quarter of last fiscal, a 24% quarterly growth, and the highest in last 10 quarters to Rs. 682 Mn. SITI’s Operating EBITDA Margin also expanded by 2.1x to 18.2% in Q2FY19.

    Subscription revenue surged ~ 1.25x to Rs. 2,548 Mn in Q2FY19, aided by the strong growth in Digital Subscription ARPU, which leapt 19%. This ARPU growth is across DAS phases, with SITI’s strong presence in Phase 3 and 4 showing 27% and 43% growth respectively.

    On quarterly basis, SITI has demonstrated a significant growth on all the financial metrics. Operating EBITDA has jumped by 1.24x while Operating Margins expanded 150 bps over the previous quarter. Subscription Revenue registered a sharp growth of ~19% sequentially over the last quarter. With consistent focus on last mile operations, SITI achieved subscription collection efficiency of 95%.

    In the quarter ending September 2018, SITI continued its new customer acquisitions by adding 3 lakh new Digital Subscribers, with current Active Subscriber base at 11.75 Mn. SITI has launched PlayTop, its 1st Hybrid Set Top Box, in line with its “Customer First” strategy. SITI will be introducing a range of innovative converged offerings over the coming quarters.

    SITI announced its partnership with Paytm, India’s largest digital payment company to provide multiple digital payment options to its customers and attractive cashback benefits in select areas. SITI Networks’ has also made Paytm’s digital payment facility available to its 24,000+ distribution partners across the country who can make online payments through various modes on the SITI Networks website.

    Hon’ble Supreme Court has paved way for the introduction of the new tariff order. Provisions of the order are aimed to increase transparency, and create a level playing field. In preparation for successful implementation of the Tariff Order, SITI has been working on Smart Tiered Packaging and has undertaken significant technological and process enhancements while ensuring training and education for all stakeholders.

    While commenting on the results, Mr. Rajesh Sethi of SITI Networks Limited mentioned –

    “SITI Q2FY19 performance has been strong and phenomenal with all round growth across all operational metrics. 2.52x growth in Operating EBITDA and 2.1x expansion in the margins is a testament to strong operational focus of the team. SITI’s Digital Subscriber ARPU went up by 19% and Subscription Collection efficiency improved to 95% in this quarter. This ARPU leap has been broad-based across the country to ensure consistent growth in Subscription Income in the coming quarters.

    SITI has always been the leader in innovation for its customers and partners. This quarter, we launched SITI PlayTop, our 1st Hybrid Set Top Box. This has been received extremely well by our customers and partners, and we intend to roll out more such boxes over the coming quarters. Taking our Customer First commitment ahead, SITI has partnered with Paytm to bring multitude of digital payment solutions for our customers. We are working with various partners across the spectrum to bring benefits of convergence to our customers.

    New Tariff order enables customers to subscribe channels of their choice and brings pricing parity across various platforms. This is very positive move for the long term ARPU growth of the ecosystem. SITI is fully prepared to implement the Tariff Order and well aligned to drive EBITDA and Margins expansion based on our Profitable Growth Strategy.”

  • SITI delivers Strong Profitable Growth

    SITI delivers Strong Profitable Growth

    • Full Year Consolidated Revenues at Rs 1426.4 Cr and EBITDA at Rs 324.5 Cr
    • SITI crosses 11.5 Mn active digital subscriber base
    • EBITDA jumps 2.6x from Rs 58.6 Cr to Rs 151 Cr
    • EBITDA Margins leap 2.1x from 5.7% to 12%
    • Subscription Revenue up 41% to Rs 800 Cr
    • Collection efficiency surpasses 95%

    MUMBAI: SITI Networks Limited (BSE: 532795, NSE: SITINET), has released their audited Consolidated Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year, ending March 31, 2018.

    The Company announced a 2.6 times YoY Operating EBITDA growth in FY18 to Rs 151 Cr while the Operating EBITDA Margin expanded by 636 bps, growing 2.1 times.

    Subscription Revenue took a significant leap of 41% in FY18 to Rs 800 Cr driving Total Revenue growth of 19% YoY to Rs 1426 Cr. This along-with focus on cost efficiencies, led to Total EBITDA growing by 42% YoY to Rs 325 Cr. The Company has also accelerated its overall collection efficiency surpassing 95% in Q4FY18.

    The Company added industry leading 3.1 Mn Digital Cable households in FY18 taking active digital subscriber base to 11.5 Mn.

    In Q4FY18, Operating EBITDA Margins significantly expanded by 900 bps YoY to 16.2%, while Operating EBITDA improved significantly by 145% YoY to Rs 51.5 Cr.

    As an effort to drive this high-performance culture across the organization, the company also rolled out SITI Values. These core values act as a guiding light and focus on building a SITI ready for the future.

    The base contribution of lock-in plans in Broadband increased to 37% exit FY18. The Company’s broadband operations with a total footprint to 16.8 lakh homes, have a base of 2.5 lakh customers. The company is working on building a growth strategy in the sector.

    The Company has a national footprint across 580+ locations and ensures seamless delivery of content to its ~55 million consumers. As testament to this and how it brings together families and friends, “Zindagi Ka Network”, SITI’s online and on-screen campaign launched in January 2018 received an overwhelming response from across the industry and Social Media.

    While commenting on the results, Mr. Rajesh Sethi, Chief Business Transformation Officer, SITI Networks Limited mentioned –

    “We at SITI are proud of our performance for this past year as we enter FY19 with significant momentum. In FY18 we have achieved strong operational and financial results while also delivering superlative customer experience and must-see content to our ~55 Mn strong consumer base across the country. Our continued focus on Customer Experience drove exceptional EBITDA growth (2.6x) coupled with industry leading subscriber additions ( 3.1 Mn).

    We continue to maintain our steady increase in customer additions, driving efficiencies through war on waste, balanced with solid EBITDA growth and expanding Margins. We continue to transform into a process driven organization with Customer experience at its heart.

    As we achieve more from less, our year-over-year growth rates of Revenue and EBITDA continue to accelerate, which is a testament of our transformation efforts across SITI.”

  • Siti Networks’ operating profit more than doubles in first quarter

    BENGALURU:  The Subhash Chandra led Essel group’s television cable network company Siti Networks Limited (Siti) reported EBIDTA including other income or operating profit of Rs 1,071.65 million (28.9 percent of Total Income) for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current quarter). The company’s operating profit for the current quarter was more than double (up 2.26 times) the Rs 474.09 million (16.5 percent of Total Income) the company had reported for the corresponding year ago quarter (y-o-y) and 54.2 percent higher than the Rs 694.88 million (20.6 percent of Total Income) reported for the immediate trailing quarter Q4-17 (q-o-q).

    Consequently, the company reported a lower total comprehensible loss in the current quarter at Rs 151.32 million, which was a little less than one third (1/2.87 times) the total comprehensible loss of Rs 435.26 million in Q1-17 and less than a fourth (1/4.26 times) the total comprehensible loss of Rs 647.16 million in Q4-17.

    Siti’s total income for Q1-18 was 29.4 percent higher y-o-y at Rs 3,711.13 million as compared to Rs 2,868.82 and 10.1 percent higher q-o-q as compared to Rs 3,370.46 million. Revenue from operations increased 29.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 3,649.57 million from Rs 2,819.67 million and increased 12.1 percent q-o-q from Rs 3,255.18 million.

    Breakup of revenue

    Siti’s subscription revenue in the current quarter increased 34.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,700 million from Rs 1,263 million and increased 6.3 percent q-o-q from Rs 1,600 million. Carriage revenue in the current quarter increased 6.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 765 million from Rs 720 million, but declined 4.1 percent q-o-q from Rs 798 million. Activation revenue in Q1-18 more than doubled (increased 2.32 times) y-o-y to Rs 849 million from Rs 366 million and was 75.4 percent more q-o-q than Rs 484 million. Broadband internet revenue for Q1-18 increased 32.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 258 million from Rs 195 million, but declined 3 percent q-o-q from Rs 266 million.

    Subscription numbers

    The company says that it deployed more than 1.6 million set top boxes during the quarter in West Bengal, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, primarily in Phase 4 areas. It says that its digital video base was about 11.6 million at the exit of June 2017 and that prepaid migration is on track with 1.16 million subscribers across 134 locations brought under its ambit by August 2017. Siti says that during the year 0.05 million of its customers adopted HD services taking the total HD customer base to 0.22 million by exit Q1-18.

    Siti’s broadband internet subscriber base increased by approximately 12,000 to 0.24 million in Q1-18 from 0.228 million in the immediate trailing quarter. The company says that as a strategy it increased focus on higher ‘Lock-in’ broadband internet plans in Q1-18. About 40 percent of its acquisitions are now coming on longer duration plans. Siti says that it is targeting to take this figure to over 50 percent in Q2-18.

    Company speak

    Siti executive director Sidharth Balakrishna said, ““SITI continues to hold a strong position in the market with record customer additions.We are well positioned to monetize this base from Q2 onwards and maintain a strong growth trajectory. In Broadband, we will selectively expand our offerings and drive increased customer focus. We are also making significant efforts to strengthen processes and optimise costs going forward, while also enhancing customer offerings. This along with a focus on certain revenue streams could potentially provide upsides going forward”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Siti

    Consolidated Total Expenditure increased 14.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 3,696.52 million (99.6 percent of Total Income) in Q1-16 from Rs 3,238.75 million (112.9 percent of Total Income) in Q1-18 and increased 0.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 3.680.87 million (109.2 percent of Total Income).

    Consolidated Employee Benefit Expense increased 22.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 234.46 million (6.3 percent of Total Income) in the current quarter from Rs 191.22 million (6.7 percent of Total Income) million but declined 3.9 percent q-o-q from Rs 243.97 million (7.2 percent of Total Income).

    Consolidated Carriage sharing, pay channel and related costs in Q1-18 increased 5.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,560.55 million (42.1 percent of Total Income) from Rs 1,484.36.36 million (51.7 percent of Total Income) but declined 3 percent q-o-q from Rs 1,608/94 million (47.7 percent of Total Income).

    Consolidated Finance costs in the current quarter increased 11.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 331.03 million (8.9 percent of Total Income) from Rs 296.71 million (10.3 percent of Total Income), but declined 2.1 percent q-o-q from Rs 338..02 million (10 percent of Total Income).

    Consolidated Other expenses increased 30.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 841.78 million (22.7 percent of Total Income) in Q1-18 from Rs 643.83 million (22.4 percent of Total Income) and increased 11.2 percent q-o-q from Rs 757.12 million (22.5 percent of Total Income).

    Also Read :

    Rajesh Sethi re-designated chief  biz transformation officer of Siti Networks

    Rajesh Sethi succeeds Wadhwa as ED & CEO of SITI Networks

    SPN India-SITI Networks dispute: TDSAT directs SITI to sign SPN RIO agreement (updated)

  • Siti revenue up across all streams

    BENGALURU: Siti Networks Limited (Siti) reported 4.4 percent growth in revenue for the year ended 31 March 2017 (FY-17, current year or fiscal) as compared to the previous fiscal. Consolidated revenue growth was driven by revenue growth in all the streams that contribute to Siti’s numbers. The company in its earnings release says that its broadband internet services revenue doubled to Rs 970 million, Subscription revenues grew 39 percent to Rs 5,690 million and Carriage revenues increased 17 percent to Rs 3,000 million in the current year vis-à-vis the previous year.

    Overall, Siti reported consolidated total income of Rs 12,208.01 million and Rs 11,691.56 million in the current and previous years respectively. Operating revenue in FY-17 grew 4.3 percent to Rs11,949.16 million from Rs 11,460.40 million in FY-16.

    The company says that it deployed more than 2.1 million set top boxes during the year despite the delay in implementation of phase 3 digitization due to litigation. It says that its digital video base was about 10 million at the exit of March 2017. Siti says that during the year 0.11 million of its customers adopted HD services taking the total HD customer base to 0.16 million by exit FY-17.

    Siti has bolstered its local channels content with tie-ups with Eros, Ultra, Cineprime, ADB Mobile and Entertainment and now has a portfolio of 130 plus local channels on a pan-India basis. It is also looking to add 7 to 8 new local channels for its North India viewers under certain genres and languages.

    The company says that Siti-Ditto OTT services grew strongly with the addition of 29,000 customers during the quarter – 1 January to 31 March 2017, taking the total customer base to 60,000.

    The company’s bottom line however showed some declines. Consolidated loss was higher at Rs 1,792.31 million in the current year as compared to a loss of Rs 412.91 million in the previous year. Consolidated EBIDTA including other revenue in fiscal 2017 at Rs 2,286.94 million (19.1 percent of Total Income) declined 15 percent from Rs 2,690.57 million (23.5 percent of Total Revenue).

    Company speak

    Siti executive director and CEO V D Wadhwa said: “Our tenacious execution has ensured stellar growth in our video revenue whereas broadband growth is falling short of our expectations. The management is highly committed towards improving monetization and operating profit across all phases, during the current year. We are well positioned to reap the benefits of improved monetization across phases as we simultaneously continue to expand our Broadband reach. The implementation of GST is expected to simplify the collection process, bring in greater transparency and will provide a boost to the growth of the sector.”

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Siti

    Consolidated Total Expenditure increased 6.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 13,607.36 million (111.5 percent of Total Income) in FY-17 from Rs 12,054.82 million (103.1 percent of Total Income) in FY-16

    Consolidated Employee Benefit Expense increased 32 percent to Rs 832.90 million (6.8 percent of Total Income) in the current quarter from Rs 630.90 million (5.4 percent of Total Income) million in FY-16. 

    Consolidated Carriage sharing, pay channel and related costs in FY-17 increased 5 percent to Rs 5,971.33 million (48.9 percent of Total Income) from Rs 5,686.36 million (48.6 percent of Total Income) in the previous year.

    Consolidated Finance costs in the current year reduced 8.9 percent to Rs 1274.47 million (10.4 percent of Total Income) from Rs 1,399.29 million (12 percent of Total Income).

    Consolidated Other expenses increased 28.4 percent to Rs 2,954.67 million (24.2 percent of Total Income) in FY-17 from Rs 2,302.03 million (19.7 percent of Total Income) in FY-16.

  • Delhi HC removes legal hurdles to implement DAS IV by 1 Jan 2017

    Delhi HC removes legal hurdles to implement DAS IV by 1 Jan 2017

    NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has vacated all interim orders giving extension of deadline in Phase III of digitisation, thus clearing legal hurdles for complete digitisation by the stipulated deadline of 31 December 2016 when the last and Phase IV is supposed to get completed.

    The court, disposing of pending petitions, directed all petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitisation and analog switch-off in two weeks, apart from informing their subscribers in advance about the change-over to digital signals that will require a set-top-box (STB).

    Last month, the court overruled orders passed by various other courts in the country and, in eight other cases, vacated the stay where petitioners had sought an extension of deadline for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in Phase III areas.

    While originally the date for implementation of DAS Phase III was 30 September 2014, it was extended to 31 December 2015 by a notification issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB). The country, as per the original plan, is supposed to be fully digitised with the completion of Phase IV by the last day of 2016.

    With the latest court directive, now it’s up to the various industry stakeholders, the government and the regulator to ensure that Phase IV is completed on schedule or as early as possible. Complete digitisation of TV services in the country is expected to bring about more transparency in the system that would benefit all.

    Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) president and Zee MD Punit Goenka said, “We welcome all stakeholders into the dawn of a new era and hope that the digitisation bandwagon continues unabated in Phase IV as well, which is to be implemented from 1 January 2017.”

    IBF, an apex body of broadcasting companies, has been involved in the cases filed in various courts that were finally transferred to the Delhi High Court under the direction of the Supreme Court. “We were hit by a flurry of litigations, all filed within a space of 15 days beginning with 30 December 2015, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Stays were obtained on implementation for periods of up to two months. Soon, the fire spread to 18 other high courts with over 50 petitions being filed,” said IBF secretary-general Girish Srivastava.

    Welcoming the judgement, Siti Networks Limited ED & CEO and president of All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) VD Wadhwa said, “This is a landmark moment in the Digital India journey as it will clear the passage for timely implementation of DAS Phase IV. It is now obligatory on part of broadcasters and other players to disconnect analog signals within two weeks. This will also pave the way for digital revenues to flow in from these areas.” AIDCF is an industry body representing digital MSOs.

    According to Hinduja Group CEO-Media Tony DSilva, “It’s a positive step in the direction of digitisation. I would appreciate if MIB comes out with a clarification on final cut-off date for digitisation and be more realistic in the dates for Phase IV.”

    DEN CEO S N Sharma, terming the court direction as positive, said that the demand (for STBs) would increase as the legal question marks over DAS have been cleared.

    Background To Legal Cases Relating to Digitisation

    A total of 62 cases had been filed in different courts and 29 cases had been transferred by various courts to Delhi by July-end. Of the 62 cases, 12 had been disposed off by respective courts and three cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    While the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Court had given orders extending the deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III, the Bombay High Court, while referring to a judgement, had said that if similar situation prevails in all states, then the stay can be pan-India. This was because the plea taken by petitioners in high courts was shortage of STBs.
     Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had admitted that the Law Ministry had observed the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all-lndia applicability”.

    Indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana High Court it had “decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases, which are pending before various other high courts”.

    Sensing the wildfire effect the DAS Phase III cases could have, MIB approached Supreme Court with a plea to transfer all similar cases to one high court and the apex court asked Delhi High Court in April 2016 to handle these cases and directed notices to be sent to all other high courts to forward relevant files to Delhi HC.

    Also Read:

    DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC

     

  • Delhi HC removes legal hurdles to implement DAS IV by 1 Jan 2017

    Delhi HC removes legal hurdles to implement DAS IV by 1 Jan 2017

    NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has vacated all interim orders giving extension of deadline in Phase III of digitisation, thus clearing legal hurdles for complete digitisation by the stipulated deadline of 31 December 2016 when the last and Phase IV is supposed to get completed.

    The court, disposing of pending petitions, directed all petitioners to run a scroll on their networks about digitisation and analog switch-off in two weeks, apart from informing their subscribers in advance about the change-over to digital signals that will require a set-top-box (STB).

    Last month, the court overruled orders passed by various other courts in the country and, in eight other cases, vacated the stay where petitioners had sought an extension of deadline for implementing digital addressable system (DAS) in Phase III areas.

    While originally the date for implementation of DAS Phase III was 30 September 2014, it was extended to 31 December 2015 by a notification issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB). The country, as per the original plan, is supposed to be fully digitised with the completion of Phase IV by the last day of 2016.

    With the latest court directive, now it’s up to the various industry stakeholders, the government and the regulator to ensure that Phase IV is completed on schedule or as early as possible. Complete digitisation of TV services in the country is expected to bring about more transparency in the system that would benefit all.

    Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) president and Zee MD Punit Goenka said, “We welcome all stakeholders into the dawn of a new era and hope that the digitisation bandwagon continues unabated in Phase IV as well, which is to be implemented from 1 January 2017.”

    IBF, an apex body of broadcasting companies, has been involved in the cases filed in various courts that were finally transferred to the Delhi High Court under the direction of the Supreme Court. “We were hit by a flurry of litigations, all filed within a space of 15 days beginning with 30 December 2015, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Stays were obtained on implementation for periods of up to two months. Soon, the fire spread to 18 other high courts with over 50 petitions being filed,” said IBF secretary-general Girish Srivastava.

    Welcoming the judgement, Siti Networks Limited ED & CEO and president of All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) VD Wadhwa said, “This is a landmark moment in the Digital India journey as it will clear the passage for timely implementation of DAS Phase IV. It is now obligatory on part of broadcasters and other players to disconnect analog signals within two weeks. This will also pave the way for digital revenues to flow in from these areas.” AIDCF is an industry body representing digital MSOs.

    According to Hinduja Group CEO-Media Tony DSilva, “It’s a positive step in the direction of digitisation. I would appreciate if MIB comes out with a clarification on final cut-off date for digitisation and be more realistic in the dates for Phase IV.”

    DEN CEO S N Sharma, terming the court direction as positive, said that the demand (for STBs) would increase as the legal question marks over DAS have been cleared.

    Background To Legal Cases Relating to Digitisation

    A total of 62 cases had been filed in different courts and 29 cases had been transferred by various courts to Delhi by July-end. Of the 62 cases, 12 had been disposed off by respective courts and three cases had been withdrawn by the petitioners.

    While the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Court had given orders extending the deadline of 31 December 2015 for Phase III, the Bombay High Court, while referring to a judgement, had said that if similar situation prevails in all states, then the stay can be pan-India. This was because the plea taken by petitioners in high courts was shortage of STBs.
     Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had admitted that the Law Ministry had observed the order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying Phase III “appears to have all-lndia applicability”.

    Indiantelevision.com had reported in January this year that MIB had told the Punjab and Haryana High Court it had “decided not to press the requirement of having a STB as for now till the decision of the cases, which are pending before various other high courts”.

    Sensing the wildfire effect the DAS Phase III cases could have, MIB approached Supreme Court with a plea to transfer all similar cases to one high court and the apex court asked Delhi High Court in April 2016 to handle these cases and directed notices to be sent to all other high courts to forward relevant files to Delhi HC.

    Also Read:

    DAS cases put off to 23 Nov as legal processes incomplete

    Siti Networks CEO V.D. Wadhwa hails dismissal of DAS III cases by Delhi HC