News Broadcasting
ABP Network’s digital platforms hit record numbers in exit poll coverage
Mumbai: ABP Network, a pioneer and leader when it comes to political journalism, has consistently been at the forefront of delivering comprehensive, timely, and insightful coverage of the political landscape in India. The network proved its leadership position in the industry was once again on Thursday with its detailed coverage of the ABP News-CVoter exit polls in five states that went to assembly elections in November.
ABP News YouTube live channels saw great traction during the crucial hours of exit poll coverage on 30 November, staying on top of the charts throughout the evening. Similar performance was mapped across the digital platforms of ABP Network, including its websites, connected TV (CTV), and mobile apps.
Marking a significant milestone in digital news broadcasting, ABP News YouTube live channels achieved the second-highest concurrent viewership during peak exit poll hours (6 pm to 7 pm) on YouTube.
Over three lakh concurrent users engaged with ABP Network’s eight language websites between 6 pm and 9 pm, showcasing the network’s extensive reach across diverse linguistic audiences.
A notable 19 per cent increase in average time-spend on ABP LIVE website properties was observed on 30 November, compared to the last 30 days of the entire election coverage cycle.
ABP LIVE Apps recorded over 27 lakh screen views, with an average of 15.5 screen views per user, alongside a remarkable 1.7 lakh daily active users (DAUs) on the exit poll-day.
In a display of the viewers’ preference for real-time election updates by ABP, the ABP LIVE CTV apps noted a five-fold increase in concurrent viewers during the Exit Poll coverage, compared to regular days. DAUs recorded across CTV Android devices rose by 23 per cent, indicating the growing trend of consuming news on connected TV platforms.
ABP Network’s CTV channels amassed 15 million viewership minutes on November 30, with the average view duration per viewer increasing by 30 per cent to nine minutes during the peak exit poll coverage hours.
These remarkable numbers show ABP Network’s commitment to delivering high-quality, real-time news across platforms. The significant increase in viewer engagement across YouTube, websites, CTV, and mobile apps reflects how the network strives to meet the evolving needs of today’s digital-savvy audience.
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.
