BENGALURU: HT Media Limited (HT Media) reported 7.5 per cent growth in total income from operations (TIO) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 (Q1-2015) at Rs 587.18 crore as compared to the Rs 546.41 crore in Q1-2014 and 1.8 per cent higher than the Rs 576.92 crore in Q4-2015. Its radio segment also reported a 2.3 per cent increase in revenue to Rs 24.52 crore (4.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 23.97 crore (4.4 per cent of TIO) in the corresponding year ago quarter, but 5 per cent less than the Rs 25.82 crore (4.5 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

Note: (1) 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

(2) The figures mentioned in this report are consolidated figures unless stated otherwise.

The company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) in Q1-2016 fell 23.6 per cent to Rs 24.95 crore (4.2 per cent of TIO) from Rs 32.67 crore (6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and fell 36.5 per cent from Rs 39.28 crore in Q4-2015. 

Advertising and Circulation revenue

HT Media says that Advertising Revenue grew by 5 per cent in Q1-2016 to Rs 467.5 crore (79.6 per cent of TIO) from Rs 445.4 crore (81.5 per cent of TIO); Circulation Revenues grew by 6.3 per cent in Q1-2016 to Rs 72.9 crore (12.4 per cent of TIO) as compared to the Rs 68.6 crore (12.6 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014.

Three segments’ contribute to HT Media’s numbers - (1) Printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals (Publishing) (2) Radio and (3) Digital. 

HT Media’s publishing segment reported 6.2 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 532.44 crore (90.7 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 from Rs 501.54 crore (91.8 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and was 1.8 per cent more than the Rs 522.85 crore (90.6 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2015.

The publishing segment reported operating profit of Rs 79.29 crore in Q1-2016, 22.8 per cent more than the Rs 64.55 crore in Q1-2015 and 11.6 per cent more than the Rs 70.12 crore in Q4-2015.

HT Media has four FM radio stations – ‘Fever 104’ in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.

The Radio segment revenue numbers have been mentioned above. HT Media’s radio segment reported operating profit of Rs 6.68 crore in Q1-2016, 46.2 per cent higher than the Rs 4.57 crore in Q1-2015 but 22 per cent lower than the Rs 8.56 crore in Q4-2015.

The company’s digital segment reported 28.8 per cent growth in revenue to Rs 30.56 crore (5.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 23.72 crore (4.3 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015 and 6.9 per cent more than the Rs 28.60 crore (5 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2015. The Digital segment reported higher loss of Rs 23.88 crore in Q1-2016; loss of Rs 12.19 crore in Q1-2015; loss of Rs 14.02 crore in Q4-2015.

The company reported unallocated losses of Rs 20.01 crore in Q1-2016; loss of 22.28 crore in Q1-2015 and loss of Rs 39.49 crore in Q4-2015.

Company Speak

HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobana Bhartia said, “The year started well for us although economic growth is still slow and there are mixed signals on account of global macroeconomic concerns. Our English dailies saw volume-led growth across markets. Hindustan maintained its upward growth trajectory, driven by our investments in both UP and Bihar. Our digital assets are increasingly gaining a foothold in their markets. The Radio business continues to be profitable and we aim to add to our portfolio of stations in Phase- III auctions. As the year progresses, we believe that we will continue on the growth path and deliver positive results even as the economic environment improves.”