Rating Rationale
December 31, 2019 | Mumbai
TV Today Network Limited
Long-term rating upgraded to 'CRISIL AA/Stable' ; short-term rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.75 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Upgraded from 'CRISIL AA-/Stable')
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of TV Today Network Limited (TVTN) to 'CRISIL AA/Stable' from 'CRISIL AA-/Stable', and reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the short-term bank facility.
 
The upgrade reflects the expectation of continued improvement in the company's operating performance driven by its leadership position in the Hindi news segment while maintaining a strong financial risk profile and robust liquidity driven by an unleveraged balance sheet.
 
TVTN is likely to sustain strong revenue growth over the medium to long term driven by the established market position of the flagship channel, Aaj Tak, along with healthy growth in the digital business. Revenue registered compound annual growth rate of 14% over the five fiscals through 2019, and rose 17% in the half year through September 2019 over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The financial risk profile remains robust with liquidity remaining above Rs 400 crore despite interim dividend of Rs 144 crore(including dividend distribution tax)  in November 2019.
 
Living Media India Ltd (LMIL; 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+') has become net debt free post receipt of the interim dividend. CRISIL does not envisage any substantial financial support towards any group entities going forward. The upgrade also factors in the revenue diversification arising from strong growth in digital operations (revenue grew 56% in the first half of fiscal 2020 over the corresponding period of the previous fiscal) which contributed around 13% to the revenue in the half year through September 2020. Digital business may act as revenue growth drive in future.
 
The ratings reflect TVTN's market leadership in the Hindi news segment and robust financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by significant dependence on the flagship channel, Aaj Tak, for revenue, and modest profitability of other businesses.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of TVTN and its subsidiaries, together referred to as the TVTN. All the entities are under a common management and have strong business and financial linkages.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Market leadership in the Hindi news segment: The flagship news channel, Aaj Tak, launched in December 2000, has maintained its leadership position in viewership among Hindi news channels for more than 19 years. The channel garnered viewership of 11.4 crore for the week ended December 6, 2019, highest amongst Hindi news channels (second highest being ABP News with a weekly viewership of around 9 crore).

The company took a strategic step to cut down advertisement inventory during fiscal 2019 to increase content in the run-up to the general election. Although the strategy led to a dip in revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, revenue growth was healthy at 17% for the half year through September 2019 compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal driven by significant improvement in advertisement yields. The market leadership of Aaj Tak should continue to support the business risk profile over the medium to long term.

* Robust financial risk profile: Cash accrual continued to grow driven by healthy revenue growth and profitability. Capital expenditure (capex) remained moderate and was funded through internal accrual. TVTN, as a philosophy, operates with negligible debt. Furthermore, despite an interim dividend outflow of Rs 144 crore (including dividend distribution tax), the company continues to maintain substantial liquidity of over Rs 400 crore. The financial risk profile should remain robust over the medium to long term, driven by healthy cash accrual, moderate capex plan, and strong liquidity.

Weaknesses:
* Significant dependence on Aaj Tak:
Though steps such as merger of Mail Today publishing business and acquisition of operations of the digital business from LMIL have helped diversify revenue, the flagship channel, Aaj Tak, continues to generate significant portion of the revenue (68% in fiscal 2019 against 75% in fiscal 2017) and majority of operating profit as other businesses remain in early stages of growth. Although digital operations have witnessed healthy growth, dependence on Aaj Tak will continue over the medium term. Continued revenue growth in other businesses will be a key monitorable.

* Modest profitability of other businesses: Despite healthy revenue growth and cost rationalisation in other businesses, Aaj Tak continues to contribute most of the operating profit (TV broadcasting contributed 95% segmental earnings before interest and tax in the half year through September 2019). With increasing revenue contribution from other businesses, overall profitability has moderated. However, the digital business is ramping up and should start contributing meaningful operating profit. Its impact on operating profitability remains a monitorable.
Liquidity Superior

Liquidity is superior. Cash and liquid investment was over Rs 400 crore as on December 25, 2019, even after disbursing Rs 144 crore as interim dividend (including dividend distribution tax) during November 2019. Net cash accrual is expected to grow in fiscal 2021. Debt remains negligible while any moderate capex requirement will be easily met through internal cash accrual.  Liquidity is likely to remain superior over the medium to long term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes TVTN's business risk profile will continue to be supported by the dominant position of Aaj Tak in the Hindi news segment. The financial risk profile should remain strong over the medium to long term in the absence of any debt-funded capex.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factor
* Significant revenue growth with operating profitability sustaining above 30%
* Increased revenue diversity while maintaining a strong financial risk profile

Downward factor
* Decline in revenue with profitability sustaining below 25%
* Significant debt-funded capex or investment, impacting the capital structure
About the Company

TVTN is promoted by the India Today group. The company broadcasts 24-hour news channels Aaj Tak, Tez, and Dilli Aaj Tak (regional news) in Hindi, and India Today Television in English. The company also runs radio station (Ishq 104.8 FM) in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. TVTN acquired LMIL's digital operations business in fiscal 2018. The digital business comprises Aaj Tak and India Today websites along with various social media and popular online video channels.
 
The India Today group, founded in 1975, has diverse business interests, including news channels, radio stations, a newspaper (Mail Today), a classical music label (Music Today), own publications (India Today and Business Today), publications under licence (Reader's Digest, Cosmopolitan), marketing and distribution of international publications (TIME), and book publishing and printing.
 
For the first six months of fiscal 2020, profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 74 crore on net sales of Rs 426 crore, against Rs 69 crore and Rs 360 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 749 724
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 131 119
PAT margin % 17.5 16.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.004 0.01
Interest coverage Times 555.3 65.6

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon
rate (%)
Maturity date Issue size
(Rs crore)
Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 17 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Cash Credit* NA NA NA 30 CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Letter of Credit** NA NA NA 7 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Working
Capital Facility
NA NA NA 21 CRISIL AA/Stable
*Interchangeable with letter of credit, bank guarantee, and working capital demand loan
**Interchangeable with bank guarantee
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
 TV Today Network (Business) Limited Fully consolidated Strong financial and business linkages
India Today Online Private Limited Fully consolidated Strong financial and business linkages
 Mail Today Newspapers Private Limited Fully consolidated Strong financial and business linkages
Vibgyor Broadcasting Private Limited Fully consolidated Strong financial and business linkages
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  68.00  CRISIL AA/Stable  29-06-19  CRISIL AA-/Stable  31-03-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable      30-12-16  CRISIL AA-/Stable  CRISIL AA-/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  7.00  CRISIL A1+  29-06-19  CRISIL A1+  31-03-18  CRISIL A1+      30-12-16  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 17 CRISIL AA/Stable Cash Credit 17 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Cash Credit* 30 CRISIL AA/Stable Cash Credit* 30 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Letter of Credit** 7 CRISIL A1+ Letter of Credit** 7 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Working Capital Facility 21 CRISIL AA/Stable Proposed Working Capital Facility 21 CRISIL AA-/Stable
Total 75 -- Total 75 --
*Interchangeable with letter of credit, bank guarantee, and working capital demand loan
**Interchangeable with bank guarantee
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Sachin Gupta
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3023
Sachin.Gupta@crisil.com


Nitesh Jain
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3329
nitesh.jain@crisil.com


Shubham Aggarwal
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 124 672 2149
Shubham.Aggarwal@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL