MUMBAI: TV18 Broadcast Ltd’s consolidated net profit in the quarter ended December 31, 2013 rose 142 per cent from a year earlier on a fall in programming cost and marketing, distribution and promotional expenses and as its consolidated revenue increased.
TV18’s reported revenues on a consolidated basis stood at Rs 525.5 crore in the third quarter of 2013-14, up 3 per cent from a year ago.
TV18’s consolidated programming cost in the third quarter fell to Rs 142.58 crore from Rs 155.52 crore a year ago. Its marketing, distribution and promotional expenditure in the third quarter was down to Rs 140.78 crore from Rs 166.01 crore a year ago.
The company reported its highest ever quarterly Operating Profit (EBITDA) at Rs 77.5 crore, up 61 per cent year-on-year with both the entertainment and news businesses turning in strong quarters.
On a consolidated basis, the company’s advertising revenues grew 3 per cent year-on-year. While the news and infotainment advertising environment continued to be sluggish, entertainment led by Colors and MTV delivered strong double digit advertising growth.
Its net distribution Income continued its steady growth at Rs 43.6 crore, a rise of 145 per cent year on year.
TV18’s broadcast operations turned in a very strong quarter with an operating profit of Rs 91.1 crores, up 110 per cent on a year over year basis.
TV18’s proforma results assuming financial consolidation of 100 per cent of ETV News and 50 per cent of ETV Entertainment, showed its revenues were up 5 per cent at Rs 595.9 crore in the third quarter and pperating profit (EBITDA) was up 79 per cent year on year at Rs. 94.5 crores led by a strong performance in ETV News.
TV18 said on a proforma basis, this was a landmark quarter for TV18 with broadcast operations turning in an EBITDA of Rs 108.1 crore. ETV Entertainment reported a sharp reduction in losses compared to the previous two quarters as programming and marketing investments made in the first half led to an upswing in ratings and revenues.
On 22 Jan 2014, after receiving the required regulatory approvals, TV18 completed the acquisition of the ETV channels – 100 per cent of ETV News, 50 per cent of ETV Entertainment and 24.5 per cent of ETV Telugu.
Raghav Bahl, Managing Director of Network18, the promoter of TV18, said, “…..the strong performance of TV18 (was) despite the continued uncertainty in the macro-economic landscape…. The environmental risks may continue in the medium term.”
Bahl said the company’s pre-tax profits almost tripled due to the robust operating performance of the broadcast operations and a significantly deleveraged balance sheet.
Network18’s Group CEO B. Saikumar, said, “Entertainment operations at Viacom18, led by Colors delivered a healthy performance even as Motion Pictures saw losses in this quarter. Infotainment operations at A+E Networks I TV18 broke into positive territory and IndiaCast continued on its robust growth trajectory.
