News Broadcasting
UTV to evolve from ‘content provider’ to ‘solutions partner’
MUMBAI: Yes, production major UTV is definitely evolving with major expansion plans that promise to change the role of production houses today.
United Television is all set to expand the scope of its services to television channels by setting up a channel planning team. This strategic move has been on the cards for over a month now, and the team should be in place by the end of August or first week of September.
Interestingly, the team is not going to be directly drawn from the TV production business, but would have borne experience in the advertising, marketing and research arena.
The teams vision would largely be driven by insight; their approach being viewer driven and not just reactive to current trends but being proactive to upcoming trends and motivation.
UTV is taking the leap from being a ‘supplying content’ vendor to a ‘solutions partner’ which will include understanding larger content space with viewers across segments, ability to translate learnings to address specific channel needs and ambitions as well as instilling a process of “shared understanding” with channels via “common agenda workshops.”
In a conversation with indiantelevision.com, UTV’s COO Vikas Varma explains, ” UTV products do not exist alone in the marketplace. Along with competition from shows across various channels, there is competition not only for eyeballs on TV sets but for quality time which could be spent in cinema hall, on the internet, in a restaurant or maybe just plain shopping. Our research will take everything that affects our shows into account.”
How is this any different from any other production house?
Well, UTV’s endeavour will be to continue infusing insight platforms to create continuous engagement in story. Additionally, tracking viewer engagement with story and advise course corrections will also be a part of their strategic planning.
Taking off from client servicing, UTV has plans of extensive channel servicing ensuring timely and quality delivery of quality product from inception to sustain phase. Varma adds, “That would also mean using strategic planning and ‘outside the industry creative instigators’ for ensuring creative freshness. Here we are talking of a paradigm shift in the way a traditional production house operates. So, to answer your question, this UTV team is not different from other production houses in a small way. Here we are talking of an evolution leap… no missing links in between.”
But considering the channels’ role in programming, content has evolved quite extensively, will channels be receptive to this concept?
Varma answers, “Logically, all inputs should be welcome. Star, for example, is our client and their business is very important to us. I in my old advertising avatar was doing business with Star and even Set and Zee. They have always welcomed inputs from me in the past and I am sure that will not change.
In terms of UTV’s topline and bottom line, the production house is looking at achieving taking a jump from 8.5 hours per week to 30 hours per week by the year end.
Well, surely an insightful plan of action. This might just be the start of a new evolution in the content generation space.
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.
