News Broadcasting
Javed Jaaferi to host new Aaj Tak show
NEW DELHI: Well, the business of news is now taking on an entertainment hue.
Close on the heels of a NDTV show, which is a spoof on politicians, countrys subse tez channel has said that it too would be launching a show on similar lines, albeit with a difference. It would be not hard core news and current affairs show, but a satire on various news channels and news formats, complete with a `channel ID, signature tune and promos.
The new bi-weekly 30-minute variety newsmagazine, called JBC, would debut on 31 January and air on Saturdays and Sundays. And, if there is any doubt on Aaj Taks intentions, the choice of the host , Javeed Jaaferi, makes it all clear.
According to Aaj Tak, hosted, anchored and presented by the multi-faceted and versatile Jaaferi (whose dalliances with TV range from Channel V to emceeing various awards shows telecast on telly), the programme will showcase an array of “funny and original ideas” and it would be ‘news’ in true Jaaferi style.
“Jaaved is an extremely talented and versatile artist with an ability to imitate almost everyone. The viewers will see the politicians, personalities and happenings as portrayed by Jaaved. The USP would be Jaaveds ability to sense, personify, satirize, and to think on his feet. This would provide the programme an altogether new and fresh feel,” commented TV Today Network CEO G Krishnan.
The publicly traded TV Today is the parent company of Aaj Tak and its English sibling, Headlines Today.
Speaking on the strategy behind this programming initiative, Krishnan further added, “JBC is in line with the innovations and uniqueness of programming offered by Aaj Tak and it would certainly attract more viewers. In future, we propose to come up with a line of programming that would touch the lives of our viewers in more ways than one.”
JBC is being touted as a crack team of thorough professionals providing news from round the globe. Its like any other news show, except that Jaaferi and his team transform it into a one-of-its-kind entertainment show with inimitable talents drawn from theatre, television and films from different corners of the country, Aaj Tak explained.
Speaking on his role and the programme at a press conference here today, Jaaferi said, “Its a great feeling to be associated with the market leader Aaj Tak, and touch the lives of millions of viewers.”
JBC will not only spoof the news, news channels (meaning competitors of Aaj Tak) and related formats, but the package would be rounded off by sections like Madvertising, teleshopping out-breaks and public disservice messages.
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.
