Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., India's largest media and entertainment company, reported a lower stand-alone net profit for the second-quarter, mainly due to higher programming and marketing costs incurred on all channels including sports.
The company, however, reported a higher net profit for the quarter on consolidated basis.
The company said it has continued its investment in content, both in increasing the hours of original programming as well as launching new products. This has consequently impacted operating margins in the short term. It, however, added that the overall response to the new shows launched during the quarter has been very encouraging.
Stand-alone Results
The Mumbai-based company reported a second-quarter stand-alone net profit of Rs.67.99 crore, compared with Rs.118.60 crore in the corresponding quarter a year-ago, reflecting a 43 percent decline. On a per share basis, earnings for the quarter fell by 61 percent to Re.0.71 from the Rs.1.81 last year.
Quarterly net income was Rs.636.25 crore, up by 23 percent from the Rs.515.51 crore in the year-ago quarter, while other income stood at Rs.10.74 crore, compared with Rs.33.60 crore in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year.
For the half-year, the company's stand-alone net profit was Rs.265.49 crore, in contrast to the Rs.191.25 crore of the corresponding period last year, a 39 percent increase. Total income, including other income, was Rs.1,285.46 crore, up by 16 percent from the Rs.1,104.99 crore for the comparable period a year ago.
Consolidated Results
Zee Entertainment posted a second-quarter consolidated net profit, after minority interest and share of results of Associates, of Rs.187.69 crore, 17 percent higher than the Rs.159.76 crore in the second-quarter last year.
Its quarterly consolidated income and other income were Rs.979.54 crore, up by 32 percent from the Rs.741.70 crore reported in the second-quarter of last year.
During the quarter, income from "Advertising" was Rs.528.08 crore, while that from "Subscription" Rs.394.95 crore. Income from "Other Sales and Services" totaled Rs.30.47 crore.
For the six-month period, the company posted a consolidated net profit, including minority interest/share of results of Associates, of Rs.344.49 crore, compared with Rs.290.14 crore for the six months ended September 30 last year, registering a 19 percent growth. Total income, including other income, touched Rs.1,852.63 crore from the Rs.1,463.71 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, an increase of 27 percent.
Zee chairman Subhash Chandra said, "This quarter of the company has continued to build on the momentum set in the first quarter. This has been on the back of several initiatives taken across businesses which have been well received by consumers."
At the BSE, Zee Entertainment closed Friday's trading at Rs.192.05, down Re.1.80 or 0.93 percent on a volume of around 710,000 shares.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com