MAM
HT Media’s print fades but tunes into a digital pitch for profit revival
MUMBAI: Ink may be running low, but HT Media is still turning the page on its fortunes. The publisher of Hindustan Times and Mint reported a consolidated loss of Rs 434 lakh for the quarter ended September 2025 narrowing from Rs 1,137 lakh in the previous quarter, even as the media house battles tepid ad spends and rising input costs.
Revenue from operations rose nearly seven per cent year on year to Rs 45,150 lakh in Q2 FY26, driven by a modest uptick in print and digital advertising. Total income, including other income of Rs 4,768 lakh, stood at Rs 49,918 lakh against Rs 47,928 lakh in the same quarter last year.
Expenses remained sticky at Rs 49,592 lakh, with employee costs of Rs 11,317 lakh and raw material expenses touching Rs 10,778 lakh. Finance costs stood at Rs 1,545 lakh while depreciation and amortisation came in at Rs 2,487 lakh. The group’s other expenses, covering distribution and marketing, were Rs 23,420 lakh.
At the operating level, HT Media posted an EBITDA of Rs 4,358 lakh compared to Rs 3,273 lakh a year ago showing that while ad markets remain tight, operational efficiencies are starting to show results.
For the half year ended September 2025, revenue stood at Rs 86,365 lakh, up from Rs 80,226 lakh last year, but total expenses climbed to Rs 97,554 lakh. The company posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 1,571 lakh for the half year, compared to Rs 3,392 lakh in the year-ago period.
The print and publishing segment continued to contribute the lion’s share of revenue, followed by radio and digital. The radio business, under Fever FM, faced continued pressure from muted advertising demand, while the digital vertical saw steady traction amid growing online readership.
HT Media’s total assets as of September 2025 stood at Rs 4,00,761 lakh, slightly up from Rs 3,93,289 lakh in March. The company’s equity base was Rs 2,03,666 lakh, including a non-controlling interest of Rs 38,460 lakh. Borrowings stood at Rs 68,760 lakh, reflecting the company’s cautious approach to leverage.
The silver lining? A total comprehensive loss of just Rs 64 lakh for the quarter, signalling that the group’s cost control measures and portfolio diversification are beginning to stabilise its balance sheet.
For a company that’s seen ink fade in print but pixels glow online, HT Media’s story this quarter reads less like a headline loss and more like a subplot in a longer comeback narrative.
Brands
RR Kabel expands FMEG portfolio with kitchen appliances and air coolers
Company forays into mixers, cooktops and hand blenders under RR Signature brand.
MUMBAI: RR Kabel has just cooked up something new and it’s not just another wire. The leading wires and cables manufacturer has announced a significant expansion of its Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) portfolio by entering the kitchen appliances segment and strengthening its air coolers range under the premium RR Signature brand. The company has introduced Mixer Grinders, Electric Cooktops (both Induction and Infra-Red variants), and Hand Blenders. These products mark RR Kabel’s strategic foray into everyday kitchen essentials, allowing it to reach deeper into Indian households beyond traditional electrical categories.
The Induction and Infra-Red Cooktops are seeing particularly strong demand amid global developments affecting LPG pricing and supply. Consumers are increasingly shifting to electric cooking for its energy efficiency, precise control, and safety features. RR Signature is reinforcing its ‘Aapke Kaam Ki Baat’ promise with best-in-class warranties across the range.
The company also plans to introduce additional kitchen appliance categories in FY26-27. In parallel, it has expanded its Air Cooler portfolio with new Industrial (Semi-Commercial) models featuring higher tank capacities and superior air throw, catering to both commercial users and households seeking powerful cooling during intensifying summers.
RR Kabel executive director Mahhesh Kabra said, “Our expansion into kitchen appliances allows us to connect with consumers at more touchpoints in their daily lives, while our expanded air cooler range addresses the rising need for effective cooling solutions. These launches reflect our continued focus on quality, innovation, and market relevance.”
By stepping into kitchen appliances and enhancing its cooling solutions, RR Kabel is wiring itself more deeply into Indian homes proving that even a cables company knows how to heat things up in the kitchen and keep things cool elsewhere. The move positions the brand for broader growth as it evolves from wires to a more complete home solutions player.
