News Broadcasting
Despite revenue drop ZMCL EBITDA up in FY 2020
BENGALURU: The Essel Group’s News media arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported an eight percent decline in revenue from operations to Rs 631.75 crore for the year ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year or period under review) as compared to Rs 686.92 crore reported for the previous year FY 2019. ZMCL reported a loss of Rs 1.6 crore for FY 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 0.03 crore for the previous year.
Due to provision for impairment loss to the extent of Rs 332.92 crore for its entire investment of non-convertible and non-cumulative redeemable preference shares in respect of its investments in Diligent Media Corporation, the company reported a negative total comprehensive income (TCI) of Rs 272.72 crore for the year under review as compared to a negative TCI of Rs 6.35 crore for the previous year.
ZMCL’s EBITDA for FY 2020 increased 5.1 percent to Rs 182.5 crore (28.5 percent of operating revenue) as compared to Rs 173.64 crore (24.9 percent of operating revenue) for FY 2019.
Operating revenue break up
More than 90 percent of ZMCL revenue was advertisement or ad revenue during the year under review. Ad revenue for FY 2020 declined 5.3 percent to Rs 583.5 crore (92.4 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 616.13 crore (89.7 percent of operating revenue) in the previous year. Subscription revenue for the period under review declined 19.5 percent to Rs 38.16 crore (6 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 47.37 crore (6.9 percent of operating revenue) in the previous year. Other sales and services revenue decreased 56.9 percent in FY 2020 to Rs 10.09 crore (1.6 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 23.4 crore (3.4 percent of operating revenue) in FY 2019.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL
ZMCL’s total expense in FY 2020 declined 4.3 percent to Rs 561.23 crore from Rs 586.68 crore in the previous year. Operating costs in FY 2020 declined 3.7 percent to Rs 109.52 crore from Rs 113.77 crore in FY 2019. Employee benefits expense for FY 2020 increased 4.7 percent to Rs 159.41 crore from Rs 1522.19 crore in FY 2019. Finance costs in the period under review increased 33.3 percent to Rs 24.01 crore from Rs 18.01 crore. Marketing, distribution and business promotion expenses in FY 2020 declined 35.8 percent to Rs 52.41 crore from Rs 81.61 crore in the previous year. Other expenses during the year under review declined 22.8 percent to Rs 127.91 crore from Rs 165.71 crore.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
