News Broadcasting
Hungama TV on programme commissioning spree
MUMBAI: Programming overdrive! That is what Hungama is calling its latest venture.
UTV’s to be launched channel Hungama TV has given commissioning letters to 16 production houses for 27 pilots of original programming.
In a company press release, Hungama TV COO Purnendu Bose offered, “With more than eight hours of original programming everyday, our intent is to be armed with a strong line-up of programs across all genres that appeal to all sub segments within our target group. So, even when the research identifies some of the strong and not so strong programs, we will be ready with another round of winning ideas.”
Amongst the 16 production houses that Hungama has commissioned are Eagle Films, Garima, Contiloe, Picasso, Edit 2, Sphere, Rose, Inhouse, Media Track and UTV productions.
UTV’s in-house production company is naturally, going to be the major content provider.
As unique as it sounds, Hungama TV has been researching each and every programming idea, whether live action or animation, with the core target of 4-15 years in all key TRP markets. That apart, the channel is also in the process of establishing the proposed governing council of the 15 member kids board of directors for the channel. The move, as the channel heads claim, further reinforces the seriousness with which they are taking their kids’ opinions.
The Ronnie Screwvala promoted United Home Entertainment’s kids channel aims at becoming a channel of, for and by the kids, adds the release.
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.
