News Broadcasting
Case studies dominate second day of EMDI seminar
MUMBAI: The second day of the seminar on event management organised by Event Management Development Institute (EMDI) focussed primarily on case studies.
Areas that were tackled were by the speakers were: How to measure the return on investment for a particular event and the trends and measurement tools that marketers can use to measure the success of a particular event. These and many other vital issues were discussed and debated on.
Exhibit Surveys VP Ian K Sequira spoke on the trends impacting event marketers. He said that the promotion of events is crucial to the success of the event. Events need to be promoted as per the Exhibitor’s demands and targeted at specific niche target groups.
Today’s sessions focussed on the measurement of events – the basics of measurement, measurement systems for corporate events, private events, hospitalities, road shows, open houses, sponsorships and other non traditional events.
Sequira stressed on the importance of events saying that it is necessary to approach the events business scientifically. Just as one justifies the return on marketing spends across various mediums and there are measurement systems in place.
Sequira drove home the point that even the performance of events can be measured. Ultimately, the sponsor / client needs to get value for the monies pumped in.
Other things that Sequira stressed on were that event organisers and companies need to demand and create demographical data and studies related to the turnout at the event.
Overall, the major benefits of results measurement are:
* It can become a management tool to enhance decision making.
* It provides information to justify your exhibit program and provides accountability.
* It helps in improving performance in the future.
The concluding session of the second day on reporting the results to the management was enlightening. It gave insights on what and how things should be reported. Although the highlight of the day was the extensive presentation of case studies by the speakers.
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.
