HT Media Limited

Piyush Gupta

Group CFO - HT Media Ltd.

Pervez Bajan

Head Financial Controllership & Taxation - HT Media Group

9%

m in total revenue on an annual as well as a sequential basis. On a y-o-y basis, the revenue is up 9% and on a sequential basis, it's up 11%. If you look at the EBITDA, which came in at a positive I

11%

as a sequential basis. On a y-o-y basis, the revenue is up 9% and on a sequential basis, it's up 11%. If you look at the EBITDA, which came in at a positive INR 46 cr, that's a 64% improvement on a

INR 46

% and on a sequential basis, it's up 11%. If you look at the EBITDA, which came in at a positive INR 46 cr, that's a 64% improvement on a y-o-y basis and a 42% improvement on a sequential basis. PAT cam

64%

basis, it's up 11%. If you look at the EBITDA, which came in at a positive INR 46 cr, that's a 64% improvement on a y-o-y basis and a 42% improvement on a sequential basis. PAT came in at a negativ

42%

the EBITDA, which came in at a positive INR 46 cr, that's a 64% improvement on a y-o-y basis and a 42% improvement on a sequential basis. PAT came in at a negative INR 3 crores, which is a substantial

INR 3 crore

mprovement on a y-o-y basis and a 42% improvement on a sequential basis. PAT came in at a negative INR 3 crores, which is a substantial improvement and on a sequential basis also, a 50% improvement. Cash posi

50%

n at a negative INR 3 crores, which is a substantial improvement and on a sequential basis also, a 50% improvement. Cash position remains extremely strong with December cash balance standing at about

INR 920 crore

improvement. Cash position remains extremely strong with December cash balance standing at about INR 920 crores, which is about the same as it was last quarter. Deep diving into the business unit performance

INR 52

tion, which is going there, but our copies continue to be on an increasing path - came in at about INR 52 cr. 7% y-o-y growth was at INR 387 cr. operating revenue total The at a Operating EB

7%

s going there, but our copies continue to be on an increasing path - came in at about INR 52 cr. 7% y-o-y growth was at INR 387 cr. operating revenue total The at a Operating EBITDA ca

INR 387

copies continue to be on an increasing path - came in at about INR 52 cr. 7% y-o-y growth was at INR 387 cr. operating revenue total The at a Operating EBITDA came at INR 42 cr and operating

INR 42

y growth was at INR 387 cr. operating revenue total The at a Operating EBITDA came at INR 42 cr and operating margins improved by 400 basis points. Same situation is on a sequential basis, whe

“In line with our standard practice, we would not be providing specific guidance on revenue or earnings.”

“Sustaining this positive momentum across our key business areas and ensuring smooth leadership transition will be our primary focus in the medium term while we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering credible and trustworthy news and engaging entertainment content through our legacy platforms as well as new-age product offerings." We now have the agenda for the day.”

“We will be So, as you can see on the webinar, the first chart is on the consolidated financial summary.”

“Well, we don't give the specifics, but you will be in the ballpark because there are two asset classes that we deal in, which are financial securities, which be equity, or any other securities, and the second asset class is equity.”

“I won't have the exact split right now, but we don't even give that on our call, but you will be in the ballpark.”

“I mean those declines, will we track them to the T, will we be better or will be worse only time will tell.”

“Some part of that, the Government has already relented and the balance we are hoping at some point in time will be given.”

“Well, it will be under both the segments, but I'll ask Anna to give you the details.”

“So basically, if you want to paint a general picture, I would say the on- property revenue will be generally always more profitable because it's automatically got a brand associated with it.”

“And the other thing is when can we 14 February 04, 2025 hope that the top line will grow faster than the expenses?”

Piyush Gupta

34

Mohit Kumra

17

Yash R

8

Anna Abraham

7

Mehul Pathak

6

Mehul Parikh

3

Aaditya Mulani

2

Narendra Khuthia

2

Lalit Kumar

1

Namit Arora

1

Anna Abraham

Thank you, Aaditya. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our earnings webinar where we will be discussing the results for the third quarter of the FY2024-25 of HT Media Group. On the call today, we have Mr. Piyush Gupta, Group CFO; Mr. Pervez Bajan, Head Financial Controllership and Taxation and members of our Investor Relations team. I trust that you had the opportunity to review the results of Hindustan Media Ventures Limited, it was announced yesterday and of HT Media Limited released earlier today. Please note that our remarks during this webinar will align with the presentation slides. These slides along with the financial statements are available on the stock exchanges and can also be accessed on the Investor Relations section of our websites. Moving forward, please have a look at the cautionary statement, which is now on this slide. In line with our standard practice, we would not be providing specific guidance on revenue or earnings. The next slide gives a quote from our Chairp

Piyush Gupta

Thank you, Anna. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to our tracking your screen. Q3FY25 earnings call. We will be So, as you can see on the webinar, the first chart is on the consolidated financial summary. As Anna just articulated, there is an upward momentum in total revenue on an annual as well as a sequential basis. On a y-o-y basis, the revenue is up 9% and on a sequential basis, it's up 11%. If you look at the EBITDA, which came in at a positive INR 46 cr, that's a 64% improvement on a y-o-y basis and a 42% improvement on a sequential basis. PAT came in at a negative INR 3 crores, which is a substantial improvement and on a sequential basis also, a 50% improvement. Cash position remains extremely strong with December cash balance standing at about INR 920 crores, which is about the same as it was last quarter. Deep diving into the business unit performance, let's have a look at the Print performance. Advertising led growth in Print segment revenue reflecting improved momentum.

Aaditya Mulani

Thank you, Piyush. We will now begin the Q&A session. You can click on the “Raise Hand” option, which will enable the moderator to unmute you for posing your query. Please introduce yourself before posing your query, and kindly restrict to a maximum of 2 questions per participant, so that we may be able to address questions from all participants. We will wait for a few moments while the question queue assembles. The first question is from the line of Mr. Mohit Kumra. Please introduce yourself and ask your question.

Piyush Gupta

So, my questions are very specific to HMVL firstly and very specific to the balance sheet, my first question at least. In your current liabilities, you have sundry deposits of INR 500 cr. What are these - why do we need deposits? Are we a deposit-taking Company? What is happening? I don't understand. So, let me give you a specific answer. You will understand thereafter. I'm presuming that if you're using the balance sheet, you're using the March 31st, or the September balance sheet, the second quarter balance sheet, right?

Piyush Gupta

Yes. So, INR 588 cr deposit that you take is consequent to our AFE business. So, if you understand the AFE business, we take deposits from our prospective advertisers in which we take an investment position. So, it's second leg of the entry on the AFE deal that they have done. We are not a deposit-seeking Company under RBI and we don't seek cash deposits. These are all AFE deals i.e. ad-for-equity deals, whereby the counterparty gives us deposits. And accordingly, we subscribe with a similar amount to their equity or whatever financial security that we are taking. Fair enough. I understand. Thank you so much. But on the same vein, I wanted to ask you. You announced yesterday also a bunch of acquisitions, so to say. Are these also all AFE, all of them? Yes. All are AFE and they are not acquisitions. These are minority investment positions. They are all AFE and they will also give rise to a security deposit like the one that you're seeing in the September balance sheet. And your ad-for-p

Mohit Kumra

So, when I say AFE, it's a generic word for both asset classes, equity and property. In the balance sheet, when you look at that security deposit number, that culminates both properties and equities. No problem. I'm talking about the asset side, not the liability side. So, you have listed properties under two heads. One is investment property, and one is held for sale so both of these are your AFE properties, right?