| MUMBAI:
India's leading television content company Balaji Telefilms is on a slow recovery
path in a downturn market where realisation rates have tumbled as Hindi general
entertainment channels have cut costs amid cut-throat competition. After
six straight months of losses from operations, Balaji Telefilms has broken even
for the month of December due to efficiencies introduced in the system.
Operational losses
for the three months running through to December stood at Rs 29.06 million as
against Rs 46.47 million in the trailing quarter, indicating an easing of the
pain without any dramatic turnaround prospects in the near future. In the prior
year period, which was hit by a row between producers and workers, operational
loss stood at Rs 17.23 million. "The
positive thing for us is that we have broken even in the month of December after
posting operational losses for the last six months. Operational efficiencies are
beginning to pay while the market is yet to see any recovery in rates," says
Balaji Telefilms Group CEO Puneet Kinra. In
the quarter, the soap factory’s income from operations slumped 22.93 per
cent to Rs 389.72 million compared to Rs 505.68 million in the year-ago period.
While
Balaji has increased its number of soaps on entertainment channels, the rate yield
per hour of content production is almost flat. "We
now have seven commissioned shows, up from four in the earlier year," says
Kinra.
Balaji Telefilms posted a net profit of Rs 18.15 million for the quarter compared
to Rs 5.68 million a year ago due to a tax benefit of Rs 16.83 million. Expenses
fell 19.43 per cent to Rs 421.74 million. Balaji
Telefilms also had other income during the quarter of Rs 303.86 million.
The
company said realisation per hour from commissioned programming stood at Rs 1.5
million, while from sponsored programming it was Rs 0.34 million.
Also, the company
produced 217 hours of commissioned content and 177 hours of sponsored programmes.
During
the quarter, Balaji had 11 serials on air, four in sponsored category - Kanmaniye
and Kasthuri (Sun TV), Kalyani (Udaya TV) and Kadhaparayum Kavyanjali
(Surya TV) - and seven in the commissioned segment - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa
Dil and Tujh Sang Preet Lagayi Sajna (Star Plus), Pavitra Rishta
(Zee TV), Bandini (NDTV Imagine), Bairi Piya (Colors) and Bayttaab
Dil Kee Tamanna Hai and Pyaar Ka Bandhan (Sony Entertainment TV).
Balaji's new
media division launched hoonur.com, an online talent platform that gives independent
professionals, businesses from film, television and media related industries an
opportunity to show their talent. Balaji
Telefilms said it is ready to release Love, Sex Aur Dhoka, a maiden
film under the banner of Alt Entertainment (Balaji’s youth centric brand)
by March, through its movie subsidiary company Balaji Motion Pictures. The
movie pipeline includes Once Upon A Time in Mumbai and Shor. | 
