News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak readies on-air campaign to urge people to vote
MUMBAI: After the blitzkrieg, comes the angle of social responsibility. May be, President APJ Abdul Kalam’s message on pubcaster Doordarshan too acted as a catalyst as news channels have jumped onto the bandwagon of tickling the conscious of the hoi-polloi to arouse them to the importance of voting and elections.
With the first phase of polling for the general elections 2004, which would ultimately result in the election of 543-members to the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) slated to start off tomorrow, Aaj Tak has uneiled multi-part social advertising campaign exhorting the electorate to cast their votes.
While Star News says it is already airing such social service messages in association with an English language newspaper, Aaj Tak’s feels that the latest initiative is to not only provide the latest and best of news coverage to its viewers, but also be front-runner when it comes to the needs of the society and the nation, at large.
The on-air communication is targeted at the people at large along with a special emphasis on encouraging the youth of the country to exercise their franchise.
The communication includes a series of short celebrity films christened Mera Vote Anmol featuring youth icons like Jassi, Jaaved Jaaferi, John Abraham, etc. These films are based on the celebritys own inimitable style and urge the viewers to caste their vote in the interest of the country.
In addition, Aaj Tak has also prepared another film inspired by the freedom struggle, which encourages youth voting. This film takes inspiration from the sacrifices by the youth during the independence struggle. Using that setting, it communicates a poignant message that all that the country asks for from the youth of India is not self-sacrifice but participation in its destiny through an invaluable vote. Shot with that background and armed with a moving script, the film seeks to make the youth stand up and take notice.
Also as a part of the same initiative, there is a set of three more films that highlight the complacency and indifference of the common man towards the voting process. Using stereotypes of common people, the film explores regular excuses for absenteeism at polling booths such as Election Day being a holiday etc. to communicate the message that its the responsibility of the citizens of the nation to vote and thus ensure its progress. The film is woven around the motto of Aapka Desh, Aapka Vote, Aapka Channel, Aapka Faisla.
News Broadcasting
Network18 trims FY26 losses as Q4 revenue touches Rs 1,955 crore, 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.
