The Delhi-headquartered HT Media, which publishes the English daily Hindustan Times, Hindi Hindustan, and business daily Mint, and operates a host of digital properties and radio stations, has announced its results for the quarter ending December 31 of the financial year 2024-2025.
The media house reported a revenue of Rs 530 crore in Q3 FY25 compared to Rs 486 crore recorded in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year (Q3 FY24), which is a 9% Y-o-Y increase. In Q2FY25, the company had a revenue of Rs 479 crore. The losses in Q3FY25 narrowed to Rs 3 crore from Rs 15 crore in Q3FY24, a 79% decrease.
In the print media, there was an increase in advertisement revenue on a Y-o-Y basis across key commercial categories, except FMCG, BFSI and industrial.
In Q3FY25, the company recorded ad revenue of Rs 309 crore compared to Rs 283 crore in Q3FY24, a 9% Y-o-Y growth. In Q2FY25, HT Media had registered ad revenue of Rs 252 crore. The quarterly, ad revenue growth was 22%.
“Advertising led growth in print segment revenue reflecting improved momentum, ” HT Media said in a statement.
The print circulation revenue, however, fell 11% to Rs 52 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs 58 crore in Q3FY24. The number was Rs 55 crore in Q2FY25.
In the print English segment, HT Media’s ad revenue jumped 14% to Rs 181 crore in Q3FY25 over Rs 158 crore in Q3FY24. On a Q-o-Q basis, ad revenue rose by 26% from Rs 143 crore in Q2FY25.
Circulation revenue of the English segment, however, fell from Rs 17 crore in Q3 FY 24 to Rs 13 crore in Q3 FY 25, a 22% Y-o-Y fall.
The Hindi segment’s ad revenue grew 3% from Rs 124 crore in Q3FY24 to Rs 128 crore in Q3FY25. Circulation revenue declined to Rs 39 crore in Q3FY25 from Rs 41 crore in Q3FY24.
The radio segment saw a 29% rise in operation revenue to Rs 51 crore in Q3FY25. Digital saw a 32% jump to Rs 51 crore in the same period.
“The third quarter of the fiscal year bodes well for the overall performance of your Company. Revenue grew in the annual festive season with a corresponding improvement in both business and operational metrics. On a consolidated basis, we reported growth in revenue and an improvement in operational profitability compared to last year as well as sequentially,” Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director at HT Media Ltd. & Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd said.
Print advertising revenues have been on the back of price/mix and have seen improved revenue growth. This, coupled with sustained control of operational expenses, has led to margin improvement on a Y-o-Y as well as a Q-o-Q basis, she said.
“The quarter saw our radio business post strong revenue growth as a result of non-FCT business, although margins continue to remain under duress. In the digital business, the company continues to post revenue growth and operational improvement. Sustaining this positive momentum across our key business areas and ensuring a 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,” Bhartia said.
