News Broadcasting
FremantleMedia, Mobliss launch mobile phone channel in the US
MUMBAI: Television format cerator FremantleMedia and Mobliss have launched a mobile phone channel, Atomic Wedgie, on the Sprint network in the US.
The channel will feature hours of original programming as well as content from FremantleMedia’s library including hilarious animated and live action shorts, Baywatch, British cult comedy and TV bloopers.
Atomic Wedgie will be available through a monthly subscription on Sprint, one of America’s largest mobile broadband networks, and will debut in the US with eight categories of short form comedy targeted at the 18-34 year old male demographic. It is the first mobile channel to launch from the joint venture between FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, and Mobliss, one of the most trusted names in mobile entertainment and content delivery.
The channel will feature re-purposed content from FremantleMedia’s extensive library, the best content from third party producers and original content made specifically for mobile and produced by the company’s newly created FMX division. Mobliss provides the technology necessary to power the mobile video clips and with deep roots in the wireless industry, is a critical partner for delivering the channel to top tier carriers like Sprint.
aFremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide GM Olivier Gers says, “This is the first mobile phone channel of its type and we are very excited to be partnering with Mobliss in order to launch this service in the US. FremantleMedia has an extensive portfolio of high quality programming and we are delighted to be able to bring this content direct to consumers, giving them one place to go for the funniest content on mobile.
“We are also looking to acquire content and are currently creating content from scratch specifically for mobile. We are also very interested in speaking to producers to enhance our catalogue, as well as exploring other distribution venues for the channel.”
Mobliss president and CEO Jim Merrick says, “Mobliss and FremantleMedia have a successful track record of delivering mobile entertainment that has not only been fun and accessible to everyone, but has helped to cement the mobile device as a true entertainment platform. It is this history combined with Sprint’s leadership in mobile video in the US, and the hilarious content, that positions Atomic Wedgie for success.”
FremantleMedia and Mobliss have enjoyed a long and successful partnership and together have been credited for introducing SMS messaging for American Idol – the largest text voting campaign in television history – and the creation of the mobile games Family Feud and The Price is Right.
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.
