Dish TV India Limited, India’s No. 1 direct-to-home company and part of the biggest media conglomerate, Zee group, today reported its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended 31 December 2008.

Gross sales and operating revenues in Q3 is Rs. 1927 million as compared to Rs. 1121 million in the corresponding period in FY08 representing a 72% growth over the Q3 revenues in the previous fiscal. The Nine months revenue for FY09 stood at Rs. 5305 million, an increase of 92% from the corresponding period last year.

Dishtv has added 7.89 Lacs subscribers in the Q3 FY 09 as compared to 5.29 lacs new subscribers added during Q2, registering an increase of 49%.

Subhash Chandra, Chairman said, “Dishtv has consistently set benchmarks for the Indian DTH industry and it has changed the face of satellite television through strategic initiatives in a challenging and competitive landscape. Despite the fierce competition, Dishtv consolidated its number one industry position with a very strong 48% market share. We continue to sustain our strong growth momentum and India is set to become Asia’s leading DTH market.”

Commenting on the recent developments, Mr. Jawahar Goel, Managing Director, said, “We are committed to provide the best value to our customers and investors. We have always ensured that our customers enjoy the finest of services and benefit from cutting-edge products and a clear testimony of this is our performance in this quarter. The DTH sector is witnessing an unprecedented & explosive growth and Dishtv is fully equipped with all key resources in place to maintain its leadership position in this growth phase”.

Dishtv has added 12 new channels on its platform in Q3 09 which include general entertainment, regional and news segment.

In Q3 Dishtv launched Aapki Wish, Aapka Pack offering two value packs – Set Top Box for Rs. 1490 and Combo Pack for Rs. 2090 (Set Top Box + Platinum Pack for 3 Months) also offering the freedom to subscribers to choose from a variety of 30 + a-la-carte Packs, ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 55 + tax. These packs have been so designed so as to offer maximum entertainment options and largest content basket at every price point.

Adding to its array of interactive value added service, dishtv launched the innovative “BHAKTI ACTIVE”. Dishtv subscribers can now get Live Gurbani from Bangla Sahib and Nanded Sahib, Aarti of Sai Baba from Shirdi & Ganesh Aarti from Siddhi Vinayak, Mumbai, Aarti from Tirupati Balaji, Live Ganga Aarti from Haridwar and Bhasm Aarti of Mahakaal from Ujjain. Dishtv customers can now get blessed at the press of a button in the comfort of their home 24X7.

To increase the ARPU, Dishtv launched a Premiere Channel on its Movie on Demand Service. Dishtv will broadcast Hollywood and Bollywood movies on this channel within weeks of their theatrical release. Being the largest DTH service, Dishtv is an obvious choice for the movie production houses to release their movies on DTH platform. Dishtv premiered the latest Bollywood blockbuster – ‘Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye’ Movie in 3.5 weeks of its theatrical release. Dishtv is a market leader in providing premium content to its subscribers, and through this channel millions of subscribers would be able enjoy the latest and best of movies in the comfort of their home.

Dish TV continues to be a market leader with 48% market share in 5 player scenario on date, with sizeable sales and distribution infrastructure of over 700 distributors and 48,000 dealers across 6600 towns – once again, the largest in the category. This reach into far flung markets enables building of a diverse subscriber base across consumer segments, which are supported by its rich content of regional channel offerings.