News Broadcasting
Cartoon Network block to replace Nickelodeon on Zee TV 1 September
MUMBAI: Indian kids fled Zee TV ever since it lost the Disney animation block to Sony Entertainment and replaced it with Nickelodeon programming. Somehow it seemed that Nickelodeon characters and fare had failed to click with them to the extent that Disney cartoons, The Power Puff Girls, Tom and Jerry, Superman and The Flintstones do. At least some of the kids that Zee TV lost are likely to return come 1 September courtesy an alliance between partners in India the Zee Network and Turner.
The two have further cemented their relationship by signing an agreement to launch an exclusive Hindi Cartoon Network programming block on Zee TV branded Cartoon Network on Zee. The block will air twice daily (8:30 am9:30 am and 6:00 pm7:00 pm) Monday through Saturday. It will also air at 8:00 a.m. 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. 7:00 pm. on Sundays. The block directly replaces the slot which is currently occupied by Nickelodeon.
Nickelodeon India, meanwhile said it was parting ways with Zee to “focus on its 24-hour channel, which has taken rapid, successful strides in the recent past.” The channel claims it is now available in more than 12 million homes across India.
Says Turner International India managing director Anshuman Misra: As leaders in kids entertainment, it has been our mission to elevate animation to the level of general entertainment. The launch of Cartoon Network on Zee is a significant step in that direction.
He adds: It is also a vital strategy as we continue to aggressively localize the Cartoon Network brand and product offering in India.”
Says Zee Network group broadcasting CEO Sandeep Goyal: “Kids 4-14 and young mothers are important demographics for a general entertainment channel. The association with the Cartoon Network brand and the introduction of some of the worlds best animated content on Zee TV will enable us to better serve these audiences during key day parts.
With the launch of Cartoon Network on Zee, Hindi language programmes drawn from the animation majors vast library of over 10,000 cartoons will be available to Zee TVs 30 million households in addition to Cartoon Networks existing loyal viewers on the 24-hour channel.
Among the cartoon characters and shows which will feature in the Cartoon Network on Zee include: Scooby-Doo, The Mask, The PowerPuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Pinky and the Brain, Samurai Jack, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Tom and Jerry Kids, Superman, Captain Planet, Ed, Edd N Eddy, The Rod Runner Show, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Sheep in the Big City, Mike, Lu & Og, Sylvester and Tweety, Mysteries and Batman-The Animated Series.
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.
