Mumbai: DB Corp Limited (DBCL), India’s largest print media company and publisher of leading newspapers such as Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, Divya Marathi, and Saurashtra Samachar, announced its financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2024. The company has delivered its highest-ever nine-month performance, reflecting strong operational and strategic achievements despite a high base set by election-related advertising in the previous year.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2024, DBCL reported a 1% year-on-year increase in total revenue, reaching ₹18,544 million, supported by advertising revenue of ₹13,058 million. Circulation revenue stood at ₹3,562 million, while EBITDA grew by 4% year-on-year to ₹5,252 million. The company’s net profit also registered a 5% growth to ₹3,187 million, underscoring its sustained profitability. Strategic cost management and stable newsprint prices, which declined by 14% year-on-year to ₹47,600 per metric ton, contributed significantly to this performance.
In the print business, EBITDA margins expanded by 200 basis points to 32%, reflecting effective operational efficiencies. Meanwhile, DBCL’s radio segment recorded a strong 9% year-on-year growth in advertising revenue to ₹1,287 million, with EBITDA increasing by 11% to ₹451 million.
For the third quarter of FY25, DBCL reported total revenue of ₹6,556 million, a slight decline from ₹6,648 million in Q3 FY24, due to the high base of election-related advertisements. Advertising revenue stood at ₹4,767 million, while circulation revenue reached ₹1,195 million. The company’s EBITDA for the quarter was ₹1,902 million with a margin of 29%, reflecting effective cost control measures and benefits from softening newsprint prices. Net profit for the quarter stood at ₹1,182 million.
Commenting on the performance, Sudhir Agarwal, Managing Director of DB Corp Ltd., stated: “Our performance in Q3FY25, contributing to the highest-ever nine-month performance even on the back of a high base, is a confidence booster. It underscores our strategic focus on Content over Noise, Truth over Trends. The festive season drove strong advertiser demand, and while some cooling followed, the overall sentiment remains optimistic. Our print and digital businesses continue to strengthen our leadership, and our operational efficiencies have kept us agile in an evolving market.”
