News Broadcasting
BBC World re-launches travel programme ‘Fastrack’
MUMBAI: BBC World’s weekly travel programme Fast:track will be re-launched with a new look, title graphics and presenters on 14 January. Fronting the programme will be BBC presenters Thalia Pellegrini and Rajan Datar.
The new fast:track has been designed to appeal to BBC World’s viewers who travel frequently for both business and leisure. The programme will feature reports from leading industry experts and a variety of new travel segments.
The show’s producer Mike London says, “Even if you are not a regular flyer, issues like carbon emissions and security affect us all and that’s why the travel industry is under the spotlight like never before. The new look fast:track will put consumers and travellers at the heart of its reporting. We will look at how important issues such as the rise in oil prices and ever-congested air spaces affect our viewers.” Mike added, “Our new presenters Rajan Datar and Thalia Pellegrini have been chosen not just because of their travel backgrounds, but because of their experience in business and consumer journalism, making them the perfect people to host the new look show. “
New segments in the programme will include:
The ‘Smart Mind’ strand – This is a series of vignettes featuring mind and body coach, Mark Bailey. With a background in therapy, physical training and kinesiology, he helps executives and performers from around the globe to get more out of their brain and body. On fast:track, he will share some of his most powerful techniques to help viewers stay on top of their game whether they are on the road or in the office.
‘Flying Facts’ – This is a series of vignettes that should answer all those perplexing questions about flying. Filmed onboard a transatlantic flight, fast:track enlisted an aviation expert to answer seemingly basic questions that most travellers are afraid to ask. “What does cross check mean?” and “Why do they always switch the lights off when landing at night?” are just two of the common flight terms that travellers hear all the time, but don’t always understand. ‘Flying Facts’ will bring you the answers!
’24 Hours In’ This is a segment targetted at the business traveller. This five-minute feature will be a guide for travellers who have a day or two to spend in a town or city. The programme will also feature a ‘what to do’ guide, featuring ideas ranging from watching an eclipse in Madagascar to catching the mid season sales in Manhattan.
Travel gadget enthusiasts will also be well catered for with BBC travel writer Ben Silburn providing a monthly run down of the latest travel gadgets, including one high-end gizmo, one mid-range and one bargain basement solution for all travellers.
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.
