News Broadcasting
TV9 Bangla Sharadiya rolls out special program line-ups
Mumbai: Consequent to the newly launched AI tech TV9 Bangla Pujor Gaan, the tagline of TV9 Bangla Sharadiya affirms ‘Shoke Drohe Utsab’. This year the news channel speaks of mourning, rebellion, and celebration which means celebrating victory over evils in society, showcasing empathy, and raising voices for protesting the horrific rape and murder of the young doctor of the RG Kar hospital in Kolkata that has shaken the globe.
According to TV9 Bangla managing editor & business head Amritanshu Bhattacharya, “The mood in the state may be sombre, but that doesn’t seem to have dampened the festive spirit of Durga Puja. This vibrant festival is a celebration of good over evil, and its significance goes beyond its religious roots, embracing social and cultural aspects. Durga Puja is a time for family reunions, community gatherings, and public celebrations. So, keeping in tune with the present mood and emotion of people, puja festivities too will embrace the current mood and passion.”
TV9 Bangla this year highlights a special programme under its puja banner, ‘TV9 Bangla Sharadiya’ taking the contemporary issues of the society.
‘Mayer Pujo Meyer Hatey’ is a special Durga Puja program showcasing selected pujas organized exclusively by women across the city. It will air on TV9 Bangla from 4 to 12 October at 3:30 pm.
‘TV9 Bangla Pujo Somman’ features the sera barowari and sera abason competition, recognizing 237 puja pandals throughout Bengal. This includes nine main categories: ‘sera theme’ (best theme), ‘sera protima’ (best idol), ‘sera poribesh’ (best environment), ‘sera mohila porichalito pujo’ (best women-organized puja), ‘sera barowari’ (best puja committee), ‘sera alonkar’ (best ornaments), ‘sera suraksha’ (best safety), ‘manusher pashe’ (beside common people), and ‘jelar sera puja’ (district pujas). This series will air from 10 to 12 October at 1 pm on TV9 Bangla.
Additionally, TV9 Bangla’s ‘manusher pashe’ initiative supports underprivileged children through partnerships with NGOs to provide essential items. “For TV9 Bangla, puja means another occasion to stand beside and touch upon the lives of the people of Bengal in every possible spirit. The cross-section of people includes the privileged and underprivileged. To touch upon the lives of people TV9 Bangla has tied up with an NGO to put an additional colour and joy. To bring all and one in the warmth of the festive spirit, TV9 Bangla is plying from urban to rural corners of Bengal with the NGO. At the same time, TV9 Bangla remains committed to the present mood of people,” Bhattacharya added.
The sponsors of TV9 Bangla include several partners, co-powered by Tata Ace, with Sriniketan as the wardrobe partner, special partners Sobisco Biscuits & Cakes, Cycle Pure Agarbathi, and Sunrise Pure, and Anjali Jewellers serving as the jewellery partner.
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.
