MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel’s digital TV business’ revenue saw a marginal bump even as it shed a chunk of customers in Q2 FY 2025 ended 30 September 2024. India’s leading direct to home television (DTH) player saw a one per cent increase in revenues to Rs 7586 million (Rs 7515 million in  Q2 FY 2024).

Airtel’s DTH sub base continued to see erosion with a drop of 546,000 subscribers in Q2 FY’25 to 15.8 million as against a loss of 196,000 subs in the previous years’ corresponding quarter. ( It had gained 194,000 subs in Q1 FY’25).  Monthly customer churn  climbed to 3.7 per cent (2.7 per cent). Average revenue per user was shaved by a rupee to Rs 158 in the latest quarter as against last year’s  corresponding quarter figures.

EBITDA stayed nearly constant at Rs 4,243 million as compared to Rs 4,212 million in the corresponding quarter last year with EBITDA margin degrowing to 55.9 per cent as against 56.1 per cent. EBIT for the quarter was at Rs 12 million as compared to Rs 832 million in the previous quarter.  During the quarter, the company incurred a capital expenditure of Rs 4,252 million.

During the quarter, Airtel and Apple entered in a strategic partnership to bring exclusive offers of Apple TV+ and Apple Music to Airtel customers in India. 

Airtel digital TV then joined hands with Amazon Prime to offer live TV and Prime Lite benefits as part of its new Ultimate and Amazon Prime Lite plan. Subscribers of the Amazon Prime Lite plan that start Rs 521, can enjoy Prime Video on two devices in HD quality, in addition to enjoying linear TV channels. The Prime Lite subscription also includes other Prime benefits like free unlimited same-day delivery on over 10 Lakh products and next-day delivery on products on Amazon, early access to sale events and lightning deals and 5 per cent  cashback on purchases on Amazon.in with Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card.