News Broadcasting
Channel 7 claims the Ayodhya attack news break
MUMBAI: At a time when news channels put up fierce competition in whatever they attempt, can news break be different? The latest claim has come from the Hindi news channel Channel 7 which asserts that it was the one which broke the news on yesterday’s Ayodhya attack.
In an official release, the channel went on to add that several top government officials, ministers and opposition leaders came to know of it only after it was reported by Channel 7.
The media release adds that Channel7 was the only channel to have a reporter present while the attack was taking place and provided detail coverage on all aspects of the unfolding drama, which included the heroism of the security forces, the details of the modus operandi, the statement of the taxi driver and of course the usual attempts to milk mileage by the political parties. The channel was also the first to air the news of the temple being safe.
The news channel has been rushing ahead with breaking news day after day with the support of its powerful editorial team comprising of more than 250 television journalists, an exclusive countrywide network of Dainik Jagran contributors and 3000 Jagran journalists deployed across the country, adds the media release.
Channel 7 COO Piyush Jain said, “Channel 7, a synonymous of credibility, has always promised to deliver in-depth coverage and news every hour. The breaking story of Ayodhya attack is another example to prove our commitment to bring the latest to our viewers and we will continue to do the same.”
Channel 7 asserted that it holds second position amongst Hindi news channels during the period 12 June to 18 June amongst the 25 + males in SEC ABC, all day in Uttar Pradesh.
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.
