News Broadcasting
Arts, current affairs, docs dominate the beebs schedule in the UK
MUMBAI: The BBC launched its statements of programme policy for 2004/2005 in the UK. It will devote more time to arts, current affairs and documentaries.
However BBC Acting DG Mark Byford has clarified that renewing the focus on arts and current affairs did not signal a lack of focus elsewhere at the broadcaster.
Most of the arts shows will be showcased on BBC One. The BBC issued a release stating that the decision was on account of the audiences desire to see more cultural and arts journalism added to its mix of arts programmes. Therefore it will launch The Culture Show later this year.
Meanwhile BBC Two will build a new documentary strand. The subjects cover diverse issues like terrorism, disability, parenting. The channel will also increase its commitment to current affairs by 10 hours. It had recently launched current affairs analysis strand If.
Online the BBC News website on bbc.co.uk will launch Quick Guides in a couple of months time. This will offer extra insight and context to daily news events. Arts programming across the BBC will include a new programme on BBC Four for analysis of the UK and world media.
The BBC added that it framed the statements this year in order to meet the BBC Governors Board’s request that the programme plans be presented in a way that demonstrate how they contribute to delivering the BBC’s public purpose.
Acting BBC Chairman Richard Ryder was quoted in the release saying, “The BBC’s new approach to the statements of programme policy will enable the licence payers to judge the BBC’s performance with greater clarity. On their behalf, the Board of Governors will monitor the BBC’s performance against these committments throughout the year and report its assessment in the Annual Report and Accounts.”
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.
