News Broadcasting
NDTV forecasts faster growth from Q3
MUMBAI: NDTV’s first-quarter net loss from news business has widened over the year-ago period as it increased its employee expenses while revenue dipped on absence of political advertising.
The company, which operates English news channel NDTV 24X7, Hindi news channel NDTV India and business news channel NDTV Profit, suffered a net loss of Rs 241.2 million for the three-month period ended June compared to a loss of Rs 23.9 million a year ago.
Income from operations at Rs 670.8 million fell 12.11 per cent, as against Rs 763.2 million in the year-ago period. In the previous fiscal, revenue had jumped on the back of political advertising due to general elections.
“The first quarter has generally not been good for anybody so far as ad revenue goes. Companies are just walking out of recession and there is an air of caution. We expect a slight improvement in the second quarter and better growth over the subsequent quarters. Our subscription revenue for the first quarter has seen good growth,” says NDTV Group CEO Narayan Rao.
On consolidated basis, the subscription income has gone up 22 per cent to Rs 116 million, as against Rs 95 million in Q1 FY 10 on the back of increased DTH penetration.
NDTV’s expenses jumped 20 per cent to Rs 889.1 million, from Rs 741 million a year ago. This was mainly because of personnel cost, increase in marketing expenses and special bonuses the company awarded to its employees.
The rise in personnel cost even without the one-time expense of bonus and gratuity has been sharp over the trailing quarter.
Explains Rao, “We have got to a headcount that is similar to 2007 – prior to our expansion. That is a good development. Besides, salaries had to be corrected after the recession.”
On a consolidated basis, NDTV has narrowed its net loss to Rs 311.1 million, as against Rs 834.1 million a year earlier. However, the previous fiscal included NDTV Imagine financials, which NDTV sold to Turner International, and is thus not strictly comparable.
Income from operations stood at Rs 835.6 million compared to Rs 1.31 billion a year ago, while expenses were at Rs 269.7 million (from Rs 667.7 million).
The company’s lifestyle channel, Good Times, is performing well. “Good Times should be able to do a revenue of over Rs 650 million this fiscal and is profitably poised. The core news business could remain under a bit of a strain unless ratings improve,” says a media analyst who tracks the company.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
