News Broadcasting
AXN to create big buzz by rescheduling primetime band
MUMBAI: AXN is looking to increase viewer cachet further. Last year it had defined primetime as starting from 10 pm instead of 9 pm.
Now it has decided to start its primetime programme block from 8 pm. This is not just for India but also for South Asia.
The new schedule which kicks off last night (5 July) will see shows like CSI, 24 and Alias move from 10 pm to 8 pm. In addition on Mondays and Tuesdays the action oriented broadcaster will air movies in the vacated 10 pm slot.
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) MD Todd Miller said, “The new programme schedule reflects AXN’s ongoing efforts as the market leader to take proactive initiatives to continue market leadership.”
The initiative is aimed not just at shoring up viewership but also at giving the advertisers more bang for their buck. AXNs ad sales and programming VP Ricky Ow added, “Ratings studies, viewer tracking surveys and regular feedback from viewers and our cable partners pointed towards these changes.
“The programming content remains largely unchanged. The new-look primetime schedule will provide a solid three-way fit between AXN, its viewers who will now be able to enjoy action-adventure programming at times that are most suited to their lifestyles, and advertisers who now have the power to send their messages directly to their desired target audience.”
Ow went on to add that close and constant analysis of ratings studies and viewer feedback helped the channel to mould its programme schedule to achieve blockbuster ratings amongst advertisers preferred target audiences. AXN claims to be available in almost 20 million homes across India.
As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com the latest season of The Amazing Race will take off later this month. It will feature a pitstop in Kolkata.
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.
