News Broadcasting
DISCOVERY communications reports third quarter 2013 results
MUMBAI: Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013.
David Zaslav, Discovery’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Discovery’s strong third quarter results once again demonstrate the breadth and depth of our brands and the myriad of opportunities across our global distribution platform. We are translating the consistent viewership gains we are delivering globally into strong advertising growth both domestically and internationally, while at the same time further leveraging our unique distribution footprint by capitalizing on the pay television evolution in many of our markets worldwide. As we invest in the organic growth opportunities across our diverse portfolio, we are also focused on the integration of our recent acquisitions. Building additional long-term growth prospects remains a priority as we deliver sustained financial results and return additional capital to shareholders to further build shareholder value.”
Third Quarter Results
Third quarter revenues of $1,375 million were up $299 million, or 28%, compared to the third quarter a year ago, led by 59% growth at International Networks and 10% growth at U.S. Networks. Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization(1) (“OIBDA”) increased 20% to $597 million, as International Networks were up 34% and U.S. Networks were up 10%. Excluding the impact of licensing agreements, newly acquired businesses(2) and foreign currency fluctuations, total company revenues increased 12% and Adjusted OIBDA
increased 11%.
Third quarter net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders of $255 million ($0.71 per diluted share) increased $50 million compared to $205 million ($0.55 per diluted share) for the third quarter a year ago, primarily due to the strong operating performance in the current year and improved earnings from equity investments partially offset by increased amortization associated with purchase price allocation for the SBS transaction. Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share(3), which excludes the impact of the amortization of acquisition related intangible assets, was $0.80 per diluted share during the third quarter compared with $0.55 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.
(1) See the full definition of Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization on page 4.
(2) Newly acquired businesses include SBS Nordic acquired in April 2013, Switchover Media acquired in December 2012 and a TV station in Dubai
acquired in December 2012. See page 11 for reconciliation to results excluding newly acquired businesses.
(3) See the full definition of Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share on page 4.
Free cash flow was $438 million for the third quarter, an increase of $85 million or 24% from the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to increased operating performance and lower tax payments. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment.
News Broadcasting
Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
