Subs revenue boosts Sun TV earnings

Subs revenue boosts Sun TV earnings

Kalanithi Maran

BENGALURU: Riding on the high of an increase in subscription revenue, Sun TV Network Ltd (Sun TV) reported improved numbers across all important parameters for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2 FY 2017-18, current quarter) as compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q2 FY 2016-17). The company’s subscription revenue for the current quarter increased by 14.3 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs 2,776.8 million from Rs 2,429.0 million.

Sun TV reported 5.6 percent increase in consolidated total income during the quarter to Rs 7,131.3 million as compared with Rs 6,754.7 million in Q2 FY 2016-17. Operating revenue rose by 8.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 6,759.0 million from Rs 6,254.9 million. The board of directors of Sun TV has declared a second interim dividend of the year of 50 per cent per equity share of Rs 5.

During the quarter, the company’s profit after tax improved by 5.3 percent to Rs 2,846.7 million (42.1 percent of operating revenue) as compared with Rs 2,703.5 million (35.5 percent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

Sun TV’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation (EBITDA) during the quarter were Rs 4,960.9 million (73.4 per cent of operating revenue), growth of 6.7 percent as against Rs 4,650.2 million (68.8 percent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

Total expenditure during the quarter increased by 7.2 percent to Rs 2,825.6 million (41.8 percent of operating revenue) as compared with Rs 2,636 million (34.6 percent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Operating expense in Q2 FY 2017-18 grew by 24.8 percent to Rs 640.8 million (9.5 per cent of operating revenue) from Rs 513.3 million (6.7 per cent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Employee benefits expense in during the second quarter increased by 7.7 percent to Rs 773.9 million (11.4 per cent of operating revenue) as against Rs 718.3 million (9.4 per cent of operating revenue) in Q2 FY 2016-17.

Other expenses in the Q2-18 increased 2.8 percent to Rs 384.3 million (5.7 percent of operating revenue) as compared to Rs 373.1 million (4.9 percent of operating revenue) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.