News Broadcasting
ABP News takes differentiation tack with Anupam Kher-anchored Bharatvarsh
MUMBAI: This show will come as a releif for viewers weary of all the shouting matches that come under the garb of prime time news on news channels. And it is coming courtesy leading Hindi news channel ABP News.
The news network has been working on improving its show slate regularly. Jan Man hosted by Dibang and telecast at 9 pm which looks at the impact of major daily developments on the common man is one of its initiatives to differentiate itself from the other news channels.
Its next e next big effort in this direction is the Anupam Kher-anchored weekend historical narrative show called Bharatvarsh. The programme, according to a press release, will take viewers on a journey from ancient India to the 19th century by showcasing the life stories of India’s major figures, who had a defining impact on the formation and evolution of the country. Bharatvarsh will present the thoughts and ideologies of varied personalities and icons such Buddha, Kabir, Chanakya, Maharana Pratap, Shivaji and many more. The series also aims to explain how these ancient, historical individuals have been interpreted in modern India and continue to impact and inspire lives. The show will air on every Saturday 10pm and Sunday 8 pm.
“Bharatvarsh will go down as one of the most memorable shows in the history of Indian Television. This is a show about the personalities that shaped India,” says Anupam. “Our great civilization, history and culture are recreated through some never-heard-before real stories. The grand cinematic production and meticulous research will dazzle you and each episode will leave you filled with more pride for India.”
“News is a cluttered space with virtually no differentiation and this has always been the challenge for the industry. At ANN, we are committed to challenging ourselves all the time to differentiate and to bring out something new for our viewers and advertisers. Bharatvarsh is another innovative show backed by extensive content research and high-end production quality,” says ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani.
Adds ABP News managing editor Milind Khandekar: “We are thought leaders in news television industry, Bharatvarsh will prove this once again after the grand success of Prandhanmantri and award winning series Ramrajya. This programme will make history relevant for all of us”.
Programme Promo:
Twitter: @abpnewstv, #Bharatvarsh
In past couple of years, ABP News has rolled out shows like Pradhanmantri anchored by Shekhar Kapoor, Ramrajya by Neelesh Misra, 7RCR by Chetan Bhagat, Second Opinion by Atul Kulkarni, and Love Story by Nigar Khan.
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.
