News Broadcasting
Ad revenue growth drives Zee Media numbers up in Q1 FY20
BENGALURU: The Essel group’s Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported 29.7 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2019 (Q1 2020, quarter or period under review) at Rs 200.66 crore as compared to Rs 154.69 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter Q1 2019 (y-o-y). Growth in numbers was led by 35.7 per cent y-o-y growth in advertising revenue in Q1 2020 at Rs 185.90 crore as compared to Rs 136.97 crore in Q1 2019. Subscription revenue for Q1 2020 increased 1.6 per cent y-o-y to Rs 11.28 crore from Rs 11.10 crore. Other sales and services declined 47.5 per cent y-o-y to Rs 3.47 crore during the period under review from Rs 6.62 crore.
However, the company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for Q1 2020 declined 52.9 per cent to Rs 26.07 crore from Rs 55.38 crore in Q1 2019. It must be noted that ZMCL had sold off its entire equity stake in Ez-Mall Online to a related party effective 30 June 2018 and the company has arranged for impairment as per Ind-AS-109 for its investments in Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. For further details please refer to the company’s financial statements. Consolidated operating EBITDA for the quarter under review increased 83.6 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2020 to Rs 65.88 crore from Rs 35.88 crore.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company
Consolidated total expenditure for Q1 2020 increased 13.4 per cent y-o-y to Rs 134.78 crore from Rs 130.45 crore. Operating costs increased 41.7 per cent y-o-y in Q 2020 to Rs 36.12 crore from Rs 25.49 crore. Employee Benefits Expense in Q1 2020 increased 21.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 42.40 crore from Rs 34.81 crore. Marketing, distribution and business promotion expenses in Q1 2020 increased 7 per cent y-o-y in Q1 2020 to Rs 22.23 crore from Rs 20.77 crore. Other expenses during the quarter under review declined 9.8 per cent y-o-y to Rs 34.03 crore from Rs 37.74 crore.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
