News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak wins the absolute majority
Mumbai: During the crucial counting hours of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, AajTak emerged as the undisputed leader in news broadcasting, capturing an astonishing market share of over 50 per cent.
This milestone represents not just a victory but an absolute dominance in the media landscape, with AajTak’s viewership surpassing the combined sum of all other channels.
Source: Hindi News Channels | Concurrent Users | YouTube Live | Primary Feed | 4th June 0800-1759 Hrs
Within the first two hours of counting, AajTak surged ahead with an impressive market share peaking at a staggering 60 per cent. This commanding lead underscores the channel’s unparalleled reach and influence among viewers seeking real-time election updates and analysis.
In a remarkable display of supremacy, AajTak‘s peak viewership was recorded at 3.5 times higher than the closest competitor, solidifying its position as the go-to destination for election coverage.
This unprecedented achievement reaffirms AajTak‘s status as the nation’s preferred news source during critical events.
With its unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and timely news, AajTak has once again demonstrated its ability to captivate audiences and set new benchmarks in media excellence.
As the channel continues to lead the way in journalistic integrity and viewer engagement, its dominance in the news sphere remains unchallenged.
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.
