News Broadcasting
Content usage: Yash Raj effects new rate card
MUMBAI: Hindi film production and distribution powerhouse Yash Raj Films (YRF) has introduced new rates for the usage of its content. The new rate card became effective from 1 July.
The company, which over the years has cornered 60 per cent of the exhibitors, most of the top stars and music directors, and now most of the big producers as well, is sighting this as a way to increase its royalty revenue stream.
The new rate card cuts across all kinds of events and is split on the basis of televised and non-televised programmes. The new rate card covers the following event categories: live ground event (commercial), corporate in-house events/ non-commercial ground events (private), song based television programmes and television programmes / news channels.
With respect to television programmes/news channels, an audio clip of a song for three telecasts up to a minute duration would cost the channel Rs 5000. The charge doubles to Rs 10,000 when it comes to the usage of any song for more than a minute up to three minutes.
In case of a visual clip of a song, the channel will have to fork out Rs 10,000 for a one minute clip, which is permitted three airings. And the charge would double for one minute plus to three minutes. For a one scene clipping a price tag of Rs 15000 has been attached. This stands applicable for three airings and for a duration of three minutes.
For reality based music shows, the channel will have to shell out Rs 100,000 for using the YRF original sound recording for performance. This can be aired up to three telecasts. In the case of any rendition of a song/version by a participant, the channel will have to fork out Rs 75,000.
The client will have to pay Rs 20,000 for an audio/visual of a song in the background for three telecasts and for a length of not more than three minutes. If only the audio is been put to use as a background tool, the charge is Rs 10,000.
For any live ground event (commercial), as per the card, the performance of YRF original sound recording/medley for three telecast for a song will cost Rs 1,50,000 while Rs 1,00,000 for a non-televised purpose per song for a duration up to full song.
In case of rendition of song/version by a participant, which will be aired up to three telecast for a song will have to pay Rs 100000. In the same case, for a non-televised use for a song, the user will have to pay Rs 75000.
For any audio/visual usage of a song in the background, the user will have to pay Rs 20,000 per clip which can be aired thrice, while the same amount is applicable even for a non-televised purpose, which is not more than three minutes on per clip basis.
On the other hand, for any audio track, the user will have to pay Rs 10,000 for per clip, which is applicable in case of both televised as well as non-televised usage.
It is interesting to note that the company has spared the nomination clipping, which are largely screened for any award function.
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.
