The Hindu Business Line : NDTV posts Rs 24-cr net loss

NDTV has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 24.08 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as against a loss of Rs 3.69 crore during the corresponding period a year ago. The company's total income, however, rose 42 per cent at Rs 77.49 crore on a consolidated basis, as compared to Rs 54.52 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. A higher outgo on personnel expenses, up to Rs 33.45 crore during the second quarter this fiscal as against 23.36 crore, besides higher marketing, distribution and promotional expenses, accounted for profits plummeting despite the topline growth.

The company had launched four channels in India and abroad during the second quarter this fiscal, which includes NDTV Good Times, NDTV MetroNation (Delhi), NDTV Arabia and Astro Awani Malaysia in Malaysia. NDTV's standalone revenue in the second quarter of the current fiscal rose 46 per cent to Rs 67.91 crore, as compared to Rs 46.56 crore during the corresponding quarter last year.

– Our Bureau