News Broadcasting
Asianet in deal with Reliance Communications to offer programmes on mobile
MUMBAI: Reliance Communications has tied up with Malayalam television network Asianet to offer Asianet news live (streaming & clips) and other key programs on Reliance Mobile World, the data service suite of Reliance Mobile.
With this, Malayalees across the country will not only able to watch the live video streaming of the Asianet news on Reliance Mobile but also download video clips of popular Asianet programmes, states an official release.
Munshi, one of the popular programmes of the channel is also available as video clip for Reliance mobile customers. While the live video streaming of Asianet News is currently available on Nokia 6235,Nokia 6255 and Nokia 6265 handsets, the video clips of headline news with intervals and other programs are available on all Java enabled phones, the release adds.
“We are delighted to offer this service that is powered by the technological advantage of our network” says Reliance Communications circle head Ashok Ghose. “This initiative is in line with our commitment to fulfilling customer aspirations that is changing constantly. We hope that all viewers of Asianet and Reliance mobile customers will enjoy this new mobile TV concept, which provides access to the Asianet News live whenever, and wherever they are within the purview of the Reliance network.” he adds.
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.
