News Broadcasting
Capital shame: ‘Star News’ reporters barely escape molestation , abduction bid
MUMBAI: Another page was added to the sordid reputation of the country’s capital as a city unsafe for women when two Star News journalists, returning home after work in a company vehicle, were chased and cornered by a car near Nizamuddin bridge inc last night.
Even though the car had a Star News sticker labeled prominently on it, its still failed to deter the car-borne assailants from attempting to abduct the two journalists at 11:20 pm.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Star News CEO Udya Shankar says, “It is an unfortunate incident, but it is an occupational hazard. If this untoward event could happen to journalists, it is a clear indication of what the plight of ordinary women is.”
The Star News reporters were returning home after work when a car started chasing them on the Nizamuddin bridge around midnight. It forced the company vehicle to stop after which a man got down with a rod and demanded that the women come out.
When they refused to comply, the assailant allegedly broke the window panes and tail lights of their car and started abusing the reporters, a statement issued by Star News said.
Meanwhile, the reporters made several calls to PCR, and other reporters to seek immediate help from the police as well as to the home ministry.”But, there was no immediate relief from either the PCR or from the ministry and the attitudes was callous and shocking,” an outraged Shankar says.
Before the cops could reach the place, colleagues from the Star News team reached the spot, he adds.
Even after reaching the police picket, no immediate help was extended. Only after a hue and cry was raised, the FIR (first information report) was finally lodged in Mayur Vihar police station at around 01:30 am, Shankar says.
When asked as to what could be the reason behind the attack, Uday avers, “It is not clear at this point whether it was just hoodlums who were chasing the two women or something to do with gagging the voice of Star News.”
A Press Trust of India report quotes deputy commissioner of police (East district) Madhup Tiwari as saying the assailants had been identified and would be arrested soon. They have been charged with molestation, restraint and attempt to kidnap, Tiwari said.
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.
