News Broadcasting
Viacom reports six per cent increase in year revenue
NEW YORK: Media conglomerate Viacom has reported record results for the fourth quarter and full year ended 31 December 2002.
For the fourth quarter, Viacom revenues increased 12 per cent to $6.8 billion from $6.0 billion for the same period last year, led by a 14 per cent growth in advertising revenues. Operating income increased to $1.3 billion from $277 million, reflecting strong growth in the Television, Cable Networks and Entertainment segment.
The company’s EBITDA (operating income before tax depreciation and amortisation) in the fourth quarter of 2002 increased 42 per cent to $1.5 billion from $1.1 billion.
For 2002 the company’s revenues increased 6 per cent to $24.6 billion from $23.2 billion with a 5 per cent overall increase in advertising revenues, including double-digit growth at MTV Networks and the Television stations group.
Operating income increased to $4.6 billion from $1.5 billion in the prior year. For the full year 2002, the company’s EBITDA increased 22 per cent to $5.5 billion from $4.5 billion in 2001.
For the year, cable networks revenues increased 10 per cent to $4.7 billion from $4.3 billion and operating income increased 44 per cent to $1.8 billion from $1.2 billion. Revenue and operating income increases were driven by 12 per cent advertising growth and an 8 per cent increase in affiliate fees paced by double-digit increases at MTVN. For the year, cable networks EBITDA increased 17 per cent to $2.0 billion
For the year, television revenues increased three per cent to $7.5 billion from $7.2 billion and operating income increased to $1.2 billion from $402 million. CBS and UPN Networks combined delivered 2 per cent growth in advertising revenues for the year, or 6 per cent excluding the impact of the Super Bowl in 2001. The Stations group delivered 12 per cent year-over-year advertising revenue growth with KCAL contributing 5 per cent of this growth. Television EBITDA increased 13 per cent to $1.3 billion from $1.2 billion
The Company expects to deliver mid-single digit revenue growth resulting in double-digit EBITDA growth and mid-teen growth in operating income and earnings per share for 2003.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
