Even as the Sensex broke past the 4,200 barrier amidst broad based rallying and buoyant market sentiments, the media industry today claimed at least 12 losers on the bourses including media majors Zee Telefilms and Pentamedia.

Media scrips that lost weight on BSE are:

Yesterday's top gainers Pentamedia and Zee, which are also the heaviest in terms of traded volumes, lost marginally to close at Rs 10.88 and Rs 105.60 respectively.

Television Eighteen, which had high hopes from CAS given its niche but loyal audience base, gave up 2.85 per cent to end the day's trade at Rs 107.35.

Companies such as Galaxy Entertainment and Crest Communications, which have not much to lose in the CAS imbroglio, led the pack of media gainers on the bourses today. So did yesterday's loser Balaji Telefilms. The scrip put on 3.15 per cent to close at Rs 67.15.

Crest Communications, which had registered a negligible gain yesterday, added 4.03 per cent to end at Rs 32.25. Galaxy Entertainment scaled a good 9.9 per cent to wrap the day's trade at Rs 39.65.

Where media stocks go from here would depend much on how the CAS tussle shapes up in the next few days or even hours. It is being said that the decision will depend largely on talks between Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and deputy prime minister LK Advani.

Also read: No CAS in Mumbai - asserts Sena supremo Thackeray

(Data sourced from www.bseindia.com.)
Exchange rate: 1$ = Rs 45.85