Sajee
Member
- Joined
- 28 Sep 2013
- Messages
- 8,451
- Reaction score
- 3,737
MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV has added
270,000 new subscribers in the fiscal third
quarter compared to 151,000 in the
preceding quarter. In the year-ago quarter,
the DTH operator had added 235,000 net
subscribers.
Airtel Digital TV’s total net subscriber base
now stands at 9.81 million.
The DTH company’s EBITDA for the quarter
ended 31 December grew 11.64 per cent to
Rs 170.7 crore (Rs 1.71 billion), compared
to Rs 152.9 crore (Rs 1.53 billion) in the
trailing quarter. In the year-ago period,
EBITDA was at Rs 97.2 crore (Rs 972
million).
EBIDTA margin also improved to 27.4 per
cent in the quarter, compared to a margin of
24.4 per cent in the preceding quarter and
18.1 per cent in the year-ago period.
However, Airtel Digital TV’s total revenue
saw a marginal (0.5 per cent) decline
sequentially. Total revenue was Rs 623.4
crore (Rs 6.23 billion) compared to Rs 626.3
crore (Rs 6.26 billion) in the trailing quarter.
In the year-ago period, revenue stood at Rs
538.4 crore (Rs 5.38 billion).
After witnessing a continuous quarter-on-
quarter growth, Airtel Digital TV has seen a
3 per cent decline in its average revenue per
user (ARPU) for the quarter ended 31
December 2014.
The DTH player’s ARPU fell to Rs 214 in the
fiscal third quarter compared to Rs 220 in
the preceding quarter. In the year-ago
period, the ARPU stood at Rs 207.
This is despite a steady surge in subscriber
numbers. Its churn, however, has remained
at 1 per cent per month (1.1 per cent in the
previous quarter).
Digital TV services revenue accounted for 4
per cent of Bharti Airtel’s total revenues,
while EBITDA contribution stood at 3 per
cent.
During the quarter, Airtel Digital TV incurred
a capital expenditure of Rs 163 crore (Rs
1.63 billion). Operating free cash flow during
the quarter, at Rs 7.7 crore (Rs 77 million),
has significantly improved, compared to
cash burn of Rs 72.6 crore (Rs 726 million)
in Q2 FY15, or Rs 13.7 crore (Rs 137 million)
in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company said that from this quarter it
has started harmonising the accounting of
indirect taxes in line with other segments
and industry standards. Such taxes were
part of opex earlier and are now netted off
against revenues.
Cumulative investment in the DTH business
by the company has touched Rs 5,294.8
crore (Rs 52.95 billion) as of 31 December
2014.
Airtel Digital TV offers 456 channels
including 25 HD channels and three
interactive services across 639 districts in
India.
During the quarter, Airtel Digital TV launched
a self-care app and a Wi-Fi dongle for its
HD customers.
Airtel Digital TV adds 270,000 subs, Q3 EBITDA at Rs 171 crore | TelevisionPost.com
270,000 new subscribers in the fiscal third
quarter compared to 151,000 in the
preceding quarter. In the year-ago quarter,
the DTH operator had added 235,000 net
subscribers.
Airtel Digital TV’s total net subscriber base
now stands at 9.81 million.
The DTH company’s EBITDA for the quarter
ended 31 December grew 11.64 per cent to
Rs 170.7 crore (Rs 1.71 billion), compared
to Rs 152.9 crore (Rs 1.53 billion) in the
trailing quarter. In the year-ago period,
EBITDA was at Rs 97.2 crore (Rs 972
million).
EBIDTA margin also improved to 27.4 per
cent in the quarter, compared to a margin of
24.4 per cent in the preceding quarter and
18.1 per cent in the year-ago period.
However, Airtel Digital TV’s total revenue
saw a marginal (0.5 per cent) decline
sequentially. Total revenue was Rs 623.4
crore (Rs 6.23 billion) compared to Rs 626.3
crore (Rs 6.26 billion) in the trailing quarter.
In the year-ago period, revenue stood at Rs
538.4 crore (Rs 5.38 billion).
After witnessing a continuous quarter-on-
quarter growth, Airtel Digital TV has seen a
3 per cent decline in its average revenue per
user (ARPU) for the quarter ended 31
December 2014.
The DTH player’s ARPU fell to Rs 214 in the
fiscal third quarter compared to Rs 220 in
the preceding quarter. In the year-ago
period, the ARPU stood at Rs 207.
This is despite a steady surge in subscriber
numbers. Its churn, however, has remained
at 1 per cent per month (1.1 per cent in the
previous quarter).
Digital TV services revenue accounted for 4
per cent of Bharti Airtel’s total revenues,
while EBITDA contribution stood at 3 per
cent.
During the quarter, Airtel Digital TV incurred
a capital expenditure of Rs 163 crore (Rs
1.63 billion). Operating free cash flow during
the quarter, at Rs 7.7 crore (Rs 77 million),
has significantly improved, compared to
cash burn of Rs 72.6 crore (Rs 726 million)
in Q2 FY15, or Rs 13.7 crore (Rs 137 million)
in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company said that from this quarter it
has started harmonising the accounting of
indirect taxes in line with other segments
and industry standards. Such taxes were
part of opex earlier and are now netted off
against revenues.
Cumulative investment in the DTH business
by the company has touched Rs 5,294.8
crore (Rs 52.95 billion) as of 31 December
2014.
Airtel Digital TV offers 456 channels
including 25 HD channels and three
interactive services across 639 districts in
India.
During the quarter, Airtel Digital TV launched
a self-care app and a Wi-Fi dongle for its
HD customers.
Airtel Digital TV adds 270,000 subs, Q3 EBITDA at Rs 171 crore | TelevisionPost.com
hya
