News Broadcasting
BBC’s media recruitment, networking event in Birmingham on 8 November
MUMBAI: UK based Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) will be holding a joint event with the BBC to promote diversity in media and get people to learn more about the broadcast industry. The event titled ‘Hidden Talent’ will take place at The Mailbox in BBC Birmingham on 8 November.
The event has been planned by BBC English Regions and BECTU and it aims to interest black and minority ethnic members in working for the BBC in the English Regions.
“There are many BBC production opportunities which exist outside London. Like BECTU, the BBC is committed to becoming a more diverse organisation and we really want black and minority ethnic professionals to consider a career with us,” says diversity manager Iona Jones.
Hidden Talent is aimed largely at pre-production, production and post-production workers who may be experienced professionals or newly qualified new entrants. The morning session will have a range of speakers giving information about how they found jobs in the BBC English Regions and what it is like to work there.
Delegates can network with the BBC’s technical and administrative staff and will also be given a presentation on ‘Demystifying the BBC Recruitment Process’.
This will be followed by small groups allowing detailed discussion with BBC managers from different areas. Real job vacancies will be advertised at the event. BBC chair Michael Grade will also be present at the event.
The list of speakers include BBC North West graphic designer Afia Rashid, BBC North West operator Narinder Nerotra, BBC Midlands production editor Jas Reehal, BECTU NEC and chair of the BBC Black and Asian Winston Phillips.
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.
