MUMBAI: New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) has posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 148.92 million in the quarter ended 31 December, 2004, turning around from a loss of Rs 72.90 million a year ago.

The company's consolidated income has gone up by 119 per cent to Rs 532.01 million as against Rs 243.34 million during the same period. NDTV's surge in earnings was a result of the strong advertising support despite no elections being held during the quarter. With the backbone of well-positioned news programmes from 6 pm onwards, NDTV managed to gain a dominant position.

However, the consolidated income of the company has gone up by 46 per cent to Rs 532.01 million in Q3 against Rs 364.16 million in Q2 of the current year.

NDTV has reported a PBDIT (consolidated) of Rs 207.61 million in Q3 of the current year as against a loss of Rs 32.37 million recorded in Q3 of the last financial year.

The improvement in NDTV's performance is a result of the success of both its news channels. While NDTV India is a close number two among the Hindi news channels, second to Aaj Tak; NDTV 24x7 is the clear leader among English news channels. Also notable is the fact that NDTV's advertising client base has grown to over 550 advertisers and 1300 brands. The consolidated ad sales income for the network in Q3 2004 amounted to Rs 509,117,090 as opposed to Rs 284,301,138 in Q3 2003.

NDTV also informed the BSE on 17 January that the company's board of directors had appointed Vijaya Bhaskar Menon as a director of the company.

Apart from the two flagship channels, the company launched its new business channel NDTV Profit yesterday 17 January, 2005