News Broadcasting
BBC Magazines to launch Lonely Planet title
MUMBAI: BBC Magazines will launch Lonely Planet magazine later this year in the UK.
The monthly title will integrate the BBC’s expertise in quality travel and cultural programming with Lonely Planet’s reputation as a global travel brand.
The magazine will appeal to open-minded, inquisitive people who have a real sense of adventure and a desire to learn about, and connect with, the people and places they visit.
Predominantly aimed at frequent travellers with the time and means to indulge their passion, Lonely Planet magazine will combine inspirational ideas for future trips -from short breaks in the UK to long-haul journeys – with outstanding journalism and photography.
The title will feature travel and related themes, encouraging readers to seek out their own authentic adventures and to share their experiences. In November 2007, BBC Worldwide bought a 75 per cent stake in Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most successful travel information providers. Lonely Planet has over 360 writers and photographers and produces around 500 travel books on destinations around the world, downloadable digital guides, an award-winning website, wireless applications and television programmes.
BBC Magazines’ Group editorial director Nick Brett said, “Editorially, the two brands are a perfect match for each other. Lonely Planet has long wanted a magazine in its portfolio, which we can now provide, and the BBC has an array of travel programmes and talent that we can bring to the party.”
f Lonely Planet magazine publisher Dominic Murray said: “The Lonely Planet brand has real appeal for this audience and I believe this new title brings unrivalled trust and expertise, as well as humour and entertainment to the travel magazine category.”
The title will be produced from BBC Worldwide’s west London office and will be edited by Peter Grunert, previously Deputy Editor, Top Gear Magazine.
BBC Magazines will publish the title in the UK under licence from Lonely Planet, in which BBC Worldwide has a majority stake. BBC Magazines also plans to publish the title in other key territories in the future.
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.
