(24 October 2008 7:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Dish TV has posted a net loss of Rs 1.54 billion for the second quarter of the fiscal, while it had a net loss of Rs 919 million for the same quarter in the prior year.

Gross sales and operating revenue jumped 130 per cent to stand at Rs 1.73 billion, from Rs 755 million for the same quarter a year ago.

DTH business has fetched Rs 1.68 billion while teleport services has earned Rs 32 million in the second quarter.

Dish TV has seen a 32 per cent rise in subscribers, adding 529000 customers in the quarter to take its total to 3.94 million. Net subscriber base is 3.4 million while churn during the quarter is 0.5 per cent per month.

Said Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra, “New offers and extensive marketing campaigns have contributed to our impressive subscriber acquisition in the quarter.”

Expenditure has increased 112 per cent to Rs 2.60 billion from Rs 1.22 billion in the year-ago period. Advertisement expense has increased 26 per cent to Rs 199 million. Cost of goods and services has jumped 86 per cent to Rs 1.40 billion while selling and distribution cost is up by 26 per cent to Rs 489 million.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) is impacted to the extent of Rs 190 million due to losses on account of mark-to-market provision. Despite high subscribers added during the quarter, the Ebitda loss is same as last quarter of FY'09 after removing the impact of Forex loss.

During the quarter, the average subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) was Rs 2601. The SAC is due to depreciation of rupee which imparted on the import of set-top-box and other related equipments.

During the quarter, Dish TV has added seven new channels including general entertainment and news segment.