News Broadcasting
ABU and Unesco ink deal for establishing branded AV section
MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and Unesco’s programme for creative content have announced a new partnership for the establishment of a branded section of audio visual content listings on Unescos Audio Visual E-Platform.
The ABU will work with its more than 102 member broadcast companies from across the Asia-Pacific region in identifying content suitable for exchange and promotion in the international market.
Unesco’s Audiovisual E-Platform provides global on-line contact between filmmakers, broadcasters and distribution outlets, enhancing the promotion and distribution of culturally diverse audiovisual content.
The E-Platform contains recently produced, innovative documentaries, short films and TV-magazines, which are original in form and content and go beyond conventional forms of filmmaking. Selected productions provide a genuine expression of different cultures, and are ready for on-line, full-length screening, which can be viewed at http://creativecontent.unesco.org.
The new ABU-Unesco partnership and call for entries fulfills both the objectives of Unesco in enhancing the promotion and distribution of culturally diverse audiovisual content as well as the responsibility of the ABU in supporting its member broadcasters and producers to gain greater visibility and interaction in the international market place.
“Unescos E-Platform is an important initiative for aiding television, film and documentary producers and provides a vehicle for promoting, marketing and exchanging content. It will help in providing access and visibility to producers and content that otherwise find it difficult to compete in international markets,” said ABU secretary general David Astley.
At a global level, broadcasters, distribution outlets and relevant institutions will be able to read about the work of producers and watch samples on-line before contacting the rights holders for acquisition.
Acquisitions, commercial transactions or negotiations will be done directly between the copyright holders and the persons interested in acquiring the content. While not acting as agent of any of the content listed on the E-Platform, Unesco and the ABU are committed to fostering respect for the copyright of Audio-visual works.
Unesco’s Audiovisual E-Platform is a highly secured platform designed for professionals in the film and television industry as a means of promotion and distribution of creative productions at local, regional and international levels. Unesco ensures the security and restriction of access.
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.
