Balaji Telefilms sees 3.5x improvement QoQ in EBITDA

Balaji Telefilms Limited has reported 27 per cent QoQ improvement in gross margins in its TV content business for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018, driven by improved execution during the quarter. 

In the OTT space, ALTBalaji ranked No. 3 in the list of Top Video Streaming Apps by Consumer Spend (Subscription) for 2018. (Source: App Annie State of Mobile Report 2019). ALTBalaji’s subscribers’ base stood at 13.1 million vis-a-vis 8.9 million last reported, while Monthly Active Users (MAU) stood at 4.6 million vs 2.3 million. 

For its television and movie production (Standalone) business, Balaji Telefilms’ Q3 FY2019 revenue from operations stood at Rs 111.5 crore, which comprised Rs 103.8 crore from content production and Rs 7.7 crore from movies. For the 9 months, revenue from operations was reported at Rs 358.2 crore – with Rs 260.1 crore from content production and Rs 98.1 crore from movies. 

Gross margins for the Standalone business stood at 23 per cent. TV margins this quarter improved by 27 per cent on account of better operating efficiencies and cost control as shows launched in Q1 have turned profitable. 

Balaji Telefilms reported EBITDA of Rs 13.2 crore for Q3 FY2019, registering a 3.5x growth over Q2 FY2019 EBITDA of Rs 3.8 crore; 9-month FY2019 EBITDA stood at Rs 16.1 crore. 

Net profit after tax for the quarter was reported at Rs 12 crore, while for the 9 months the figure was Rs 17.9 crore. 

In 2018, Balaji Telefilms Ltd claimed to have a 16 per cent share of the market share in Primetime Ratings. 

Commenting on the Q3 FY2019 performance, Shobha Kapoor, Managing Director, Balaji Telefilms Limited, said, “We are pleased to announce another strong performance this quarter, highlighted by improving margins that have cemented our place as a leader in the Indian media industry. Our in-house content gives us the ability to create strong franchises, nurture new talent and ultimately give consumers the best possible entertainment choices, hence making it a value proposition for our investors and stakeholders.”