Affected by high cost of content, marketing and distribution, Zee Group's direct-to-home (DTH) company Dish TV India has posted a net loss of Rs 251 crore for the fiscal ended 31 March 2007, as against a loss of Rs 87.51 crore a year ago.Dish TV was recently demerged from Zee Group and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.However, on the revenue front, Dish TV registered Rs 190 crore as against Rs 31.46 crore last year. But the expenditure of Dish TV increased to Rs 376 crore from Rs 114 crore a year ago. Commenting on the result Zee chairman Subhash Chandra said, "Our subscriber base this year has crossed the 2 million mark of which over one million were added during this financial year. We firmly believe that the growth will accelerate in the ensuing time." Added Dish TV MD Jawahar Goel,"Today, we are the only platform that offers 170 digital channels that combines the best of both worlds, in terms of both extensive international and regional content for our all discerning subscribers. In June 2007, we have acquired additional two satellite transponders which coupled with our advanced channel compression and multiplexing systems, are expected to give us a competitive advantage, which will be difficult to match. We plan to take the number of channels upto 200 plus, by the present year end. In our mission to provide the Indian viewer with the best in entertainment, the enhanced channel capacity will provide us a clear edge over others." Commented Dish TV CEO Arun Kapoor, " We reach 4100 markets in this vast expanse called India, through an integrated sales and distribution set up comprising 35000 dealers and 400 distributors. Nearness to our consumers across market segments, has given us a lead in reaching out to them, with better sales and service support. This year we have added several new zonal offices and set up an enhanced logistics infrastructure to facilitate the trade and consumers. "About 12,500 service personnel across the country and over 100 Dish Care Centre (DCC) are today, providing quality service to our esteemed subscribers' at their doorstep. Moreover, our understanding of the consumer pulse, that has translated into consumer friendly strategies w.r.t. multiple packages, price points, exciting consumer offers, has been instrumental in driving our fast paced growth. This will only quicken in times to come. We are all set to cross the 3 million mark in the coming financial year.", he added.
