News Broadcasting
Network18 announces key elevations, re-organises revenue function
MUMBAI: Network18, one of India’s most diversified media conglomerates has been strengthening its revenue team ever since Joy Chakraborthy took over as President- Revenue for TV18 and CEO-Forbes India, a year ago. Moving ahead in this direction, it has recently re-organized the leadership roles within the function by announcing key elevations.
Commenting on these elevations, Joy Chakraborthy said, “In the past one year, we were able to utilize and leverage strengths of our network, leadership and people with a cohesive sales structure. For the new fiscal year, we are geared up to look at newer opportunities and face different challenges. Keeping in line with our strategy to move ahead, we feel it is imperative to re-jig leadership roles to make the most of individual forte, team and network strengths in extracting our best from market situations and opportunities.”
Mukund Setlur takes on the role of National Sales Head for News18 India, IBN Lokmat and CNBC Bajar, utilizing his vast knowledge and experience of selling the 13 ETV News Channels nationally as well as from his successful stint at leadership position with the erstwhile IBN7 (now News18 India).
Sudip Roy will be in charge of ETV News Channels’ sales as National Sales Head bringing in his experience to extend ETV news network’s business onto the next level. Amit Tripathi who currently leads the sales team for Government businesses of TV18 channels as well as that for the Hindi speaking markets for ETV News channels, will now also manage government businesses of language channels under the ETV News Network.
Sonia Kapoor, in addition to being National Sales Head for her present Focus portfolio comprising CNBC- TV18, CNN News18, Moneycontrol, Forbes India and Firstpost, will also head Focus nationally for CNBC Awaaz, CNBC Bajar, News18 India and IBN Lokmat.
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.
