News Broadcasting
BBC TV Licensing unveils new communications campaign
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC’s TV Licensing division has announced the launch of a new integrated communications campaign, Circuit City, which will be rolled out from next month.
The campaign highlights the power of technology in making it easier for people to pay for their TV licence and harder for them to evade.
The campaign will feature a new trademark and visual identity, incorporating the name “TV Licensing” and a new symbol.
The new trademark and visual identity will appear from 1 April on the TV Licensing website and in direct mail.
The communications campaign comprises BBC TV and radio trails, advertising on commercial television, online banners and posters. It replaces the Sofa campaign which has been running for two years.
Online banners will run from 1 April, followed by TV from 14, radio from 19 and posters from 21 April.
TV Licensing’s aims are to ensure that everyone who needs a licence buys one, and to reduce the cost of collection to put more money into BBC programmes and services. The effective use of computer technology is at the heart of both these aims.
The creative approach for the Circuit City campaign brings to life how TV Licensing uses technology to make it easier for people to pay their licence online and how its database of more than 29 million addresses plays a key role in detecting licence fee evaders.
The campaign was developed in partnership with AMV BBDO, PHD and Proximity London, with TV production by Red Bee.
Circuit City will be the first campaign featuring the new TV Licensing trademark and visual identity.
It is the first time the trademark has been revised since it was registered almost 20 years ago. The old trademark did not work well electronically (eg, online) and research showed that people did not regard it as reflecting a modern organisation.
The new TV Licensing trademark is based on the power button design seen on many electrical devices. Many of these, such as laptop computers and mobile phones, are now able to receive TV signals and, therefore, their use may need to be covered by a TV licence.
In the new trademark, the power button is combined with a tick to convey the positive connotations of being properly licensed.
The new trademark and visual identity has been designed by The Partners.
TV Licensing marketing manager Peter Kirkfor says, “TV Licensing has come a long way since 1990, when the old trademark was registered. We’ve more than halved the estimated evasion rate and significantly reduced collection costs.
“In 1991, many people queued to pay their TV Licence in cash. You can now pay in many more ways, including setting up a direct debit online and receiving an e-licence.
“TV Licensing is a modern, efficient organisation making effective use of technology. It’s now easier to pay than ever before and harder to hide if you are an evader. Our new campaign and trademark are important tools in conveying these messages.”
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.
