News Broadcasting
PM Modi praises TV9 Network for journalistic integrity
Mumbai: At the recently held exclusive roundtable interview with five editors of TV9 Network, the prime minister Narendra Modi took a few minutes to bestow words of praise and offer his congratulations to the network. The ‘PM and 5 Editors Roundtable’ was an unprecedented initiative to bring together the prime minister of the world’s largest democracy and five editors of its largest network. Over an hour and thirty minutes, the PM and the five editors engaged in a conversation that was as candid as it was momentous.
The prime minister congratulated TV9 Network for fulfilling its duty to the country and its people without pandering to the stance of any one particular party – including his own. “Your network has published many stories criticising the BJP, and I take no issue with that. Because not once have I ever received a report that TV9 Network has engaged in activities that harm the country itself, or its reputation”, he remarked.
Prime minister Modi also praised the journalistic integrity of TV9 Network at the roundtable discussion, saying, “At no point in time have I ever seen incidents, from any corner of the country, presented with mala fide intent by TV9 Network”.
Acknowledging the extensive reach of both the broadcast and digital platforms of TV9 Network and praising the timeliness of its reportage to the five editors present, he said, “My congratulations go out to TV9 Network and its digital platforms, which enjoy a huge viewership. Whenever I travel abroad and need a reference point, I visit the TV9 Network digital platforms. (The network) puts out information that is current, and I refer to it sometimes too.”
TV9 Network’s offerings in the digital media space were recently packaged into a comprehensive, cutting-edge initiative – the News9 Mediaverse. Comprising News9 Plus – the world’s first news OTT; News9 Live – India’s only 24×7 digital-exclusive English live stream; and News9Live.com – the English news website, the News9 Mediaverse is bringing the news to viewers in new-age formats.
Prime minister Modi concluded his remarks about TV9 Network by saying, “Such media (networks) are essential for our country”.
In February 2024, the prime minister similarly lauded the network, for the diversity of its newsroom and the efforts of its teams, while delivering the summit keynote address at TV9 Network’s flagship conclave, the What India Thinks Today Global Summit. He said, “In TV9 Network’s newsroom, I see the diversity of our vibrant democracy represented. To all the network’s writers, reporters, and technical teams, from varying geographies and linguistic backgrounds, I offer my compliments”.
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.
