News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 unveils new primetime lineup
MUMBAI: CNN-News18, the national English news channel of News18 Network, has announced an all-new programming line-up for the evening primetime. With an aim to deliver insightful news and a platform for the common man to voice their views and concerns, the channel is all set to redefine its primetime with powerful line-ups. The Right Stand, a high octane debate show, believes in putting India first and focuses on major national issues. The show will telecast every weeknight at 7.57 pm, starting tonight.
Talking about the refreshed content, Network18 CEO English and business news cluster Basant Dhawan said, “During the last year, News18 Network strengthened its value proposition and has now firmly cemented itself as the leading news network in the country. The refreshed programming is a part of our continued efforts of pushing the envelope of journalism. Keeping viewers at the core of our content strategy, the new line-up reflects the dynamism and the constantly evolving nature of the television news and the consumers.”
Disrupting the primetime at 7.57 pm, The Right Stand will be hosted by executive editor, Anand Narasimhan (@AnchorAnandN). Narasimhan, in his distinctive style, will lead the discussions and capture various facets of the news story helping viewers make an informed opinion. The hour and a half long show will witness intense debates on top national stories of the day with the biggest newsmakers.
Anchored by India’s leading political journalist, Bhupendra Chaubey, executive editor (@bhupendrachaube), the channel will also introduce Viewpoint at 5.57 pm. Brass Tacks hosted by Zakka Jacob, executive editor – output (@Zakka_Jacob), the most influential media person in 40 under 40 and an award-winning journalist for two consecutive years, will telecast at 9.25 pm. The shows will further bolster the channel’s positioning of ‘On Your Side’.
Continuing the legacy of differentiated and engaging content, Viewpoint will disrupt the standard formats as seen on news television by bringing forth an unparalleled and in-depth ground-level view on the major issues of the day. With Jacob’s analytical demeanour and his innovative approach to news telling, Brass Tacks will bring unmatched insights for the viewers by providing a crisp news bulletin comprising key 50 news stories of the day.
Airing at 6.57 pm, Bottom Line anchored by Kishore Ajwani, managing editor (@KishoreAjwani), the show will feature stories that are of direct relevance and interest to viewers. At 10.26 pm, political editor, Marya Shakil (@maryashakil) will continue to host Epicentre offering a comprehensive round-up of all big stories including burning political stories of the day along with issues focusing on gender biasness, minorities etc.
A 360-degree marketing campaign is launched for an extensive outreach and engagement with the viewers for the refreshed primetime. Designed to elaborate the core philosophy and impactful proposition, the campaign integrates print, outdoor and digital medium. The channel will also leverage its owned network assets including CNBC TV18, History TV18, News18 Kerala, News18 Karnataka, News18.com and Firstpost.com.
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.
