News Broadcasting
Sarla Maheshwari, a defining face of Doordarshan news, dies at 71
Veteran anchor was part of Doordarshan’s formative news years
New Delhi: Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognisable faces of Doordarshan’s early news bulletins and a pioneer of Indian television journalism, has died in Delhi at 71.
The former news reader, who was on air for nearly three decades from 1976 to 2005, belonged to a generation that shaped TV news when broadcasting ran only a few hours a day and credibility rested squarely on the anchor’s voice and presence.
Her death on Thursday was confirmed by former colleague and family friend Shammi Narang, who shared the news on X and Instagram. “I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-news anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari,” Narang wrote.
Remembering her warmly, Narang called Maheshwari “the embodiment of grace and courtesy”.
“Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir of knowledge. Her presence on the Doordarshan screen had a unique aura. She respected everyone and uplifted every space she was part of,” he said.
Maheshwari’s career tracked the evolution of Indian television itself—from black-and-white telecasts to the arrival of colour broadcasts. According to reports, she joined Doordarshan after completing a PhD at Delhi University, bringing academic rigour to a medium still finding its voice.
Doordarshan National paid tribute in a post on X, saying: “A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved out a special place in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers.”
Her last rites will be held at Nigam Bodh Ghat at 4 pm.
In an age before shouting matches and breaking-news tickers, Maheshwari represented a quieter authority—measured, composed and trusted. The screen has changed beyond recognition since her debut. The memory of that calm, steady voice has not.
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.
