General News: Siti Cable Network renamed as Siti Networks

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MUMBAI: A new name brings in new vibes and possibly a new direction. At least that ‘s what the Essel group is aiming for if one goes by the name change it has resorted to at its national cable TV MSO Siti Cable. Last week, It informed the Bombay stock exchange, that it will be called Siti Networks as it has got shareholders (earlier) and the Registrars’ approval on 5 August for the renaming. The company was originally incorporated as Wire and Wireless (India) Ltd.

As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Siti Networks reported 29.4 per cent growth in revenue for the fiscal ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current fiscal). The company reported revenue of Rs 1213 crore in FY-16 as compared to Rs 937 crore in the previous year. Operating profit (EBIDTA) in the current year increased to Rs 323 crore as compared to Rs 168.4 crore in FY-15.

The company has reported a profitable turnaround for the first time in its history. Neglecting the impact of minority interest, Siti profit after tax in the current year was Rs 6.84 crore as compared to a loss (without factoring in minority interest) of Rs 101.88 crore in FY-15.The company’s loss in the current year declined to Rs 1.71 crore from a loss of Rs 109.10 crore in FY-15. Siti reported profit before tax (PBT) at Rs 22 crore in FY16 as compared to a negative PBT of Rs 85.2 crore.

Siti’s cable subscribers in FY-16 grew to 1.22 crore from 1.05 crore reported at the end of FY-15. The growth happened in Q3-16.

On the other hand the digital subscribers in FY-16 increased to 79 lakh (64.8 percent of cable subscribers) as compared to 53.8 lakh in FY-15 (51.2 percent of cable subscribers). Digital subscribers in the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q4-16, current quarter) increased by 11 lakh to 79 lakh as compared to 68 lakh in Q3-16.

Whereas, the broadband subscribers in FY-16 grew 93.3 percent to1.355 lakh from 0.701 lakh in FY-15. Broadband subscribers in Q3-16 were 1.07 lakh.

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