News Broadcasting
NBA Board writes to BARC demanding details of TV9 tampering inquiry
NEW DELHI: Further to last week's mega controversy around the viewership data of TV9 Bharatvarsh released by BARC, NBA has now written to the chairman of the industry body demanding the details of the inquiry.
In a press statement, NBA president has drawn his attention to several news reports about videos of a sting operation, as purported proof of tampering of panel homes by TV9 Bharatvarsh and response by BARC that it carried out a detailed investigation into the compromised homes and the manipulation of data.
The letter reads, "NBA is rather surprised to note from the news reports that BARC has so quickly investigated into the sting operation and also passed a judgement that those who appeared in those videos were “paid to say what they did” and the videos are “fake”. NBA desires to know who conducted the investigation? Since the allegations were against BARC, NBA presumes that the investigation was conducted by a third party. NBA would like BARC to share this investigation report with NBA to help understand how the investigations were concluded so quickly that there was no tampering of data and the videos are fake."
It highlights that a proper investigation is crucial in the light of the fact that the allegations are against an organisation (TV9 Bharatvarsh), which by BARC's own admission, has a dubious past. "It has a history of indulging in such malpractices and for which the ratings of TV9 Telugu were suspended. Was this record made available to the investigators?"
President, NBA has sought an urgent response with the details of the investigation report.
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.
