News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide, Babelgum sign global content deal
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster BBC, has signed a global deal with Internet TV platform Babelgum to provide clip content ranging from natural history, travel to other factual shows in the BBC Worldwide portfolio.
Under this deal, BBC Worldwide will provide short-form content from a range of programmes including that of David Attenborough documentaries, the Tribe series and Top Gear series, for viewing on the Babelgum platform.
Clips shown on the service will be supported by advertising and made available through three new branded channels: BBC LoveEarth, BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment, which will be launched within the next two weeks.
Through this deal, BBC Worldwide aims to broaden the reach of its content to new channels and outlets apart from engaging with audiences worldwide.
Babelgum CEO Valerio Zingarelli said, “We are glad to be able to offer a wide variety of programmes as short-form content tailored for the Internet. These include shows with a massive international following such as Top Gear, Tribe and Galapagos. The BBC brand is known around the world and by bringing these brands to the Babelgum platform we aim to emphasise our position as a point of reference for Nature and Science’s audiences.”
“Babelgum’s focus on natural history and the environment is a great fit for us. We’ve got a wealth of content in this genre and we’re excited about making it available to Babelgum’s users around the globe. Babelgum is an innovative player in the market and a great way of reaching out to an audience that perhaps doesn’t see our content on more traditional channels,” BBC Worldwide digital media content and development head Jemma Adkins added.
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.
