News Broadcasting
Ahimsaa channel to be launched on 30 Jan 2003
MUMBAI: Ahimsaa, a 24-hour global satellite television channel is all set for its launch on 30 January next year. The content of the channel will primarily comprise social, environmental and women empowerment issues.
The first official announcement about the launch was made at the ‘Converging World 2002’ held in Bangalore between 3-5 December. The channel is promoted by the Kolkata based Santosh Kumar Jain who besides being a partner in Aastha Television and CMM Music has also promoted ATN World and ATN Bangla in West Bengal. It is being backed by The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) which is headquartered in Mount Abu, India.
“We propose to have kids shows; serials aimed at the youth and career guidance; women’s rights and issues beauty tips; and even cooking. We shall even cover issues like Aids, health, alternate therapies and cures,” Ahimsaa Global Media Director, Sonal Jain elaborated while speaking to the indiantelevision.com team.
The channel will reach out to over four billion people in more than 150 countries through its programmes on spiritual, ethical and social themes, stated an official release. It will show children’s programme like ‘moral story telling’ sessions, alternate methods of education and special programmes for the youth on career guidance, awareness regarding drugs, AIDS and other issues, the release added.
“Negotiations are on with the managements of PAS-10 and Thaicom for uplinking facilities. We are also commissioning inhouse content at Kolkata. Within two years, we expect the advertisers to provide content. At present we have programming content of around eight hours and there will be repeat telecasts. We propose to increase the programming content as time goes by, ” said Brahma Kumaris’ chief of multimedia, B K Karuna.
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.
