News Broadcasting
BARC orders forensic audit in Kerala TRP scam probe
KERALA: Barc India has rushed to limit the fallout from an alleged television ratings scam in Kerala, commissioning an independent forensic audit after reports surfaced of potential data manipulation involving one of its employees.
The move follows a sting by Malayalam channel Twenty-Four which claimed a Barc staffer was linked to suspicious spikes in viewership for a Kerala broadcaster. The exposé has triggered a police inquiry into whether ratings were artificially inflated using crypto payments, leaked data and targeted meter mapping.
Seeking to project transparency and control, barc India said it has “immediately engaged a reputed independent agency to undertake a comprehensive forensic audit into the matter”. It stressed its commitment to integrity in audience measurement and urged the media and stakeholders to refrain from speculation as the investigation proceeds.
According to preliminary findings cited by investigators, WhatsApp chats and call logs appear to show advance rating figures being shared before official release. Police are also examining claims that nearly Rs 100 crore was routed through crypto wallets to influence outcomes, along with potential misuse of PIN-coded meter locations.
The case is still evolving, but the reputational risk is clear. India’s Rs 50,000 crore TV advertising market rests on trust in audience data. Barc’s rapid response signals the high stakes and its determination to shut down manipulation before the story gets bigger, darker and messier.
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.
