ENIL net up 14% on 31% rise in Oct-Dec sales

MUMBAI: Entertainment Network India (ENIL), which operates India���s leading private FM radio station Radio Mirchi, has posted a 13.9% increase in net profit to Rs 12.4 crore for the quarter ended December.

Total income grew 30.6% to Rs 48.4 crore and earnings before interest, depreciation, tax and amortisation rose 20.8% to Rs 17.7 crore.

The company launched three new stations this year in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur, and the three recorded an EBITDA margin of 28.2% for the quarter, an ENIL statement said.

For the period ended December, ENIL���s total income jumped 46% to Rs 126.3 crore, while EBITDA increased 15.4% to
Rs 33.5 crore.

According to data based on Indian Listenership Track 2006 (ILT���Wave 2 conducted by MRUC) for September-November 2006, Radio Mirchi retained its number one position in Mumbai and Delhi, while establishing itself as the dominant number one station in Kolkata.

Radio Mirchi has increased its lead over the second player in Mumbai from 30% to 40% while maintaining its 2:1 lead
in Delhi.

���In the emerging competitive landscape Radio Mirchi has again demonstrated not only its brand leadership in the new markets of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Jaipur but has also demonstrated robust growth in financial terms.

In the new markets within the short span of nine months the company has achieved an EBITDA break-even,��� AP Parigi, managing director and CEO, ENIL said.

The company said that based on its present rate of progress, it is confident of completing the rollout of the remaining 22 stations by the end of July this year.