News Broadcasting
Signum TV Cable selects Exset BV for DMS implementation
Patna: The Netherland-based Exset B.V. and Patna-based Signum Digital Networks Private Limited (Signum) have entered into an agreement to introduce the award winning Digital Monetisation System (DMS) platform to deliver path breaking service and the next generation content protection system to the end users.
As per the agreement, Exset B.V. will be responsible for providing DMS CAS and Middleware to Signum for its Digital Cable Platform. This association is set to help drive governance, television commerce, advertising and magazines services in a predominantly one–way environment to its entire end–consumers lighting up their TV space
Mr. Alex Borland, Managing Director and CEO of Exset BV said, “We are proud to be associated with Signum TV as their content protection and monetization partner. Exset is committed to the success of this platform and will offer the highest level of security and service”.
DMS bridges the gap between technology and Value-Added Services for digital TV deployments and allows digital television platforms to be created, which can then be monetised in a new dynamic way, which benefits the end users from new information and entertainment services. It enables the cable operators to meet the challenges of digitization, and also result in positive impact on their revenue stream.
Mr. Gouri Sankar, chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chief Technology Offiver (CTO) of Signum said, “We are delighted to have Exset as a partner to secure our content and roll-out our Middleware/VAS strategy. This association will help us to explore new VAS streams – Advertising, On-Demand, Interactive, and Information Services to name a few. We are certain that with the highest level of security and the middleware value proposition presented; will help us to drive ARPU’s to new levels”.
Mr. Pradeep Acharya, Regional Director –South Asia of Exset said, “Exset’s value proposition is unparalleled in terms of offering the next generation of security and also paves the way for driving greater ARPU’s, unlocking new revenue stream, and consequently driving the platform to greater expanses and profitability”.
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.
