BENGALURU: HT Media Limited (HT Media) radio segment reported a 42.2 per cent q-o-q growth in operating result for Q3-2015 at Rs 9.44 crore versus the Q2-2015 operating profit of at Rs 6.64 crore and was 21.2 per cent more than its Rs 7.79 crore in the corresponding quarter of 2014. The segment’s 9M-2015 operating result at Rs 20.65 crore was 27.9 per cent more than the Rs 16.15 crore in 9M-2014.

HT Media’s radio segment reported revenue of Rs 25.81 crore, 6 per cent more than the Rs 24.35 crore in Q2-2014 but 3.2 per cent lower than the Rs 26.67 crore in Q3-2014. The company operates four radio stations in the country under the brand Fever 104 FM.

HT Media reported 8 per cent higher total income from operations (TIO) at Rs 605.50 crore as compared to the Rs 560.88 crore in Q2-2015 and 4.2 per cent more than the Rs 533.53 crore in Q3-2014. For 9M-2015, HT Media reported TIO of Rs 1712.79 crore which was 3.4 per cent more than the Rs 1656.86 crore in 9M-2014. 

The company’s PAT for Q3-2015 at Rs 63.97 crore (10.6 per cent of TIO) was 45.8 per cent more than the Q2-2015 PAT of Rs 43.89 crore (7.8 per cent of TIO) but 4.6 per cent lower than the Rs 67.02 crore (11.5 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014. For 9M-2015, HT Media reported PAT of Rs 140.53 crore (8.2 per cent of TIO), which was 18.6 per cent lower than the Rs 172.69 crore (10.4 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014. 

Three segments contribute to HT Media’s revenue – Publishing (Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals) (2) Radio and (3) Digital.

 HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said, “We are happy to report revenue growth across all our core businesses on the back of higher advertising in the festive season.”

“We increased our circulation in the Hindi belt, strengthening our position in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; Mumbai is growing steadily; and we remain the most read English daily in Delhi and the national capital region. Our digital businesses continue to show traction and radio remains highly profitable.” 

“Raw material costs show a downward trend and we will benefit from the same in coming quarters. The announcement of Phase III expansion in FM Radio is a positive development and we believe we will be able to add to our portfolio of stations. We expect to close the year on a strong note and carry the momentum into the next year. The company is well positioned to seize any opportunity that comes its way.”

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