Challenges are many, yet Dish TV has emerged as a fighter. Strategic planning and rechanneling existing resources changed the game altogether.

Highlights of Dish TV FY21

1. EBITDA – Rs. 20,170 million
2. Subscription revenues -Rs. 29,874 million
3. Profit before exceptional items and tax- Rs. 823 million
4. Operating revenues – Rs. 32,494 million

Though the Pandemic had severely affected business, Dish TV has managed to stay afloat and gain an edge with its business tactics. Just after the Dish TV merger with Airtel was stalled, came the pandemic and onset of fresh obstacles. Despite the many challenges in every aspect from obtaining fresh content for broadcasting, importing hardware, dealing with distributors, call centres and other marketing activities, ensuring the safety of employees, resolving production issues etc, Dish TV boldly went ahead to leverage the digital infrastructure already existing and raised their game to the next level.

Mr Anil Dua, Group CEO, Dish TV India Limited, said, Dish TV India had been advancing its digital technology over the years but what the pandemic made us do was never really envisaged by anybody. The challenge was to do a fast-track implementation of digital processes that may or may not have come to the drawing board even several years down the line. Effectively, the pandemic rushed the need to innovate.

Due to the increase in Covid cases and the strict restrictions of the lockdown, Dish TV authorities had to improvise and restructure their system, whether it was resolving customer issues using Artificial intelligence, arranging work from home options for employees, innovating set-top-boxes and other related accessories to a completely digital model, upgrading Watcho ( Dish TV OTT platform) etc. The news that Dish TV shares have also had an upward trend is definitely a promising sign that business is flourishing.

Mr Jawahar Goel, CMD, Dish TV India Limited, said, Thanks to all the stakeholders of Dish TV, the Company has so far been able to rise to the challenges thrown by the pandemic. The year gone by was difficult but has left us stronger with all the innovations and process improvements in place. However, with continuing uncertainties, we maintain a cautious stand. A strong balance sheet boosts confidence in such tough times and our focus on paying down debt and other liabilities is in that direction only.

One of the biggest challenges was the loss of customer subscriptions as many people failed to get a steady income as they faced employment issues. Dish TV strategically channelled the existing internal cash flows towards capital expenditure and debt management. The OTT platform Watcho was a lifesaver as it kept the subscribers connected and emerged to be a wonderful means of entertainment during the lockdowns.