News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 launches “The Great Indian Freedom Fest” campaign to foster and encourage financial freedom in young Indians
Mumbai: CNBC-TV18, India’s leading English Business news brand launched ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest’ campaign on Independence Day to promote the concept of financial freedom among young Indians. Through this initiative, CNBC-TV18 aims to foster a new generation of financially savvy individuals who understand the importance of not just savings but also investments and prudent money management. The Great Indian Freedom Fest kickstarted on 15 August and will continue well into September.
The campaign is aimed towards the country’s youth, especially students pursuing their post-graduation & management degrees, recent graduates, as well as first jobbers, to equip them with the knowledge, guidance and steps to take affirmative actions essential to achieve their financial goals in life. Under this initiative, CNBC-TV18 is collaborating with esteemed institutions such as NMIMS Bangalore, IBS Mumbai and more to extend its outreach and connect with the larger student community.
The Great Indian Freedom Fest will feature insightful discussions with visionary leaders who have achieved remarkable success in their fields while mastering the art of money management and wealth creation. For the Bengaluru chapter, startup mavens Jumbotail co-founder & CEO Karthik Venkateswaran and INSTAMOJO co-founder Akash Gehani along with CNBC-TV18’s Ritu Singh visited the NMIMS Bengaluru campus and interacted with the financially savvy generation of today. These luminaries shared their inspiring journeys, insights on success, and valuable advice on the steps towards financial freedom, as well as guided students through the intricacies of today’s investment landscape. Karthik Venkateswaran of Jumbotail emphasised the importance of investing in relationships to build successful ventures, whereas Akash Gehani of INSTAMOJO shared that discipline is the absolute key to success and it is about getting the small things right.
Commenting on the initiative, CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan said, “The concept of freedom has evolved significantly since the past few decades, extending beyond political liberation to encompass achieving personal goals and financial empowerment. Recognizing this shift, CNBC-TV18 as a trusted partner and investment ally is delighted to present ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest.’ This interactive campaign aims to redefine freedom to align with the modern ambitions of achieving ‘Financial Freedom’, and guide the younger cohorts on their journey to successful money management, investments and overall financial independence.”
Network18 CEO business news Smriti Mehra said, “Empowering the young minds of India with financial knowledge is not just an initiative, it’s a commitment to shaping a more informed and prosperous future. Through ‘The Great Indian Freedom Fest,’ we’re lighting the path to financial literacy, guiding students towards economic independence one lesson at a time and ensuring that they all hold the torch of economic independence & informed decision-making.”
Catch the Bengaluru chapter on CNBC-TV18 & CNBC-TV18.com on Saturday, 26 August, 10.30 pm and Sunday, 27 August, 6.30 pm.
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.
