News Broadcasting
Americans keeping a safe distance from HDTV
MUMBAI: Americans are showing a reasonable degree in knowledge of and interest in HDTV. However it is still seen by many as being beyond their means
This finding is contained in a study conducted by global survey research firm, Ipsos-Insight. Awareness of HDTV and understanding of the related technology, products and services is on the rise. The Ipsos-Insight study found that 89 per cent of Americans are aware of HDTV, up from 74 per cent in 2002.
Most of those who are aware of HDTV recall seeing an ad for HDTV in the past month (88 per cent, up from 79 per cent two years ago). The percentage of consumers who have never heard of HDTV has dropped from 26 per cent to 11 per cent.
The report stated “Advertising and marketing by industry players is getting noticed. This was helped in part by word of mouth and sporting events, especially the recent Athens Summer Olympic Games which were presented in high definition.
“But HDTV is not yet in the consideration set of mainstream America. Nearly three-in-four say that HDTV is much too expensive for them to consider purchasing right now (72 per cent, down from 76 per cent two years ago). Other research we have conducted shows that HDTV purchase intent is flat, with 13 per cent of Americans ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ likely to buy HDTV in the near term, versus. 15 per cent last year.”
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.
