Brands
Harsh Sheth exits JioStar; SonyLIV role next: Reports
MUMBAI: Harsh Sheth is set for his next act. According to media reports, the senior media executive has exited JioStar and is widely expected to join SonyLIV as its chief content officer, signalling a high-profile move in India’s fiercely competitive streaming space.
Sheth brings with him a deep bench of experience shaped over nearly two decades at the Star network. Most recently, he served as business head for Star Bharat and Star Utsav, after steering Disney Star and Hotstar’s Hindi and English movie business. From premium Hollywood fare to mass-market Hindi movies, Sheth has spent years decoding what clicks with Indian audiences.
His journey at Star reads like a masterclass in content leadership. Over 11 years, he climbed from strategy and research roles to running some of the network’s biggest movie and entertainment portfolios, including Star Gold, Star Movies and Star World. Along the way, he built a reputation for balancing creative ambition with commercial sharpness.
Before Star, Sheth cut his teeth at Times Network, where he was part of the core launch team for Romedy Now, and earlier at Tam Media Research, advising broadcasters on audience insights and strategy.
If confirmed, his move to SonyLIV comes at a crucial moment. As platforms battle for attention in a crowded OTT market, content leadership has become the sharpest weapon. With his mix of data-driven thinking and programming instinct, Sheth could be just the steady hand SonyLIV is looking for as it plots its next phase of growth.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
