News Broadcasting
‘Cinema Premiere’ now on Zee Cinema
MUMBAI: Something’s brewing at Zee Cinema. For starters after one break movie- ‘Rok Sako Toh Rok Lo’, the next programming initiative to be unveiled by the Zee’s Hindi cinema arm is ‘Cinema Premiere’.
Although it claims to be India’s only Hindi movie channel, all the new movies acquisitions premier on Zee and later on Zee Cinema. But come 10 April, and the status quo will soon change.
Zee Cinema will premiere 2003’s surprise hit Waisa Bhi Hota Hai – Part II on 10 April at 8 pm, in the new block.
Zee Cinema, business head, Yogesh Radhakrishnan, as quoted in a company release, said “It is our constant endeavour to provide always something novel for viewers. We thrive to deliver the best to our audience, which is evident from the start of this year with successful ventures like ‘Dil De Deke Dekho’, ‘Rok Sako To Rok Lo’. This summer we will be providing fresh flavours with a new look to evolve further in the entertainment we provide to the loyal viewers. Look out for more surprises coming on Zee Cinema “
Speaking to indiantelevision.com Zee Cinema assistant vice president (marketing) Prakash Ramchandani offered that the like ‘Rok Sako Toh Rok Lo, even ‘Cinema Premiere’ is latest innovation for the month of April. “We have planed a fresh look for the channel. Besides that we are planning to spring surprises on the viewers.”
While he wouldn’t elaborate on the surprises, it is likely that channel will roll out one special band every season.
As for the last months “surprise” ‘Rok Sako To Rok Lo’ band, the channel has made it into a regular fortnight event. The first movie that premiered in the band Hero- A love story of a spy got a decent 2.9 TVR on the rating charts.
While the channel has promised to add newer programming, ‘Cinema Premier’ is going to be a regular fare on the channel. And while the channel isn’t keen on divulging it’s future plan, the motto for now seems to be “watch out for more”.
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.
