News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN’s Independence Day programming deliver top ratings
New Delhi August 29, 2006: Leader in the English news genre, CNN-IBN has once again delivered in terms of eyeballs on this Independence Day. CNN-IBN was the nation’s choice and the most watched news channel on Independence Day.
CNN-IBN made the Independence Day television viewing really exciting with a plethora of programmes ranging from entertainment to music to history. The engaging slew of programmes on the channel has cut across all TGs, posting good ratings for the channel. As per the latest TAM report CNN-IBN secured a channel share of 0.33 (TG 25+AB All India) on August 15, taking a lead ahead of its competitors, across India.
‘Sachin–King is back’ on CNN-IBN was the top most programme in the English News genre on Indian Television on August 15 (0.08 TVR, TG: 25+ AB CS, 6 Metros). The I-Day special series ‘State of the Nation’, an all India opinion survey too achieved good ratings (0.07 TVR, TG: 25+ AB CS, 6 Metros) on that day. As part of the Independence Day programming line up, CNN-IBN aired an all India, live Smart Kid I- Day Quiz for the first time ever on a news channel, which certainly had the viewers glued on to their television sets. CNN-IBN also aired interesting shows like August Country (Revisit History), India Rocks (Musical), Shah Rukh Khan Unplugged (Celebrity chat).
| Day part | Channel | Channel share |
| 0700 – 2400 |
CNN-IBN | 0.33 |
| NDTV 24×7 | 0.31 | |
| Headlines Today | 0.1 | |
| Times Now | 0.11 |
Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, CNN-IBN & IBN 7 said, “Through our programming on the 59th year of Independence, CNN-IBN wanted to heighten the spirit of patriotism. We are delighted that the viewers have appreciated the shows and we have been successful in truly making Independence Day a memorable one. The results are a reaffirmation that we have provided the viewers with programming that is both entertaining and captivating”
Dilip Venkatraman, Director Marketing, CNN-IBN & IBN 7, “The high ratings that CNN-IBN have delivered for the compelling Independence Day programming line up demonstrates the success of our programming and the constant loyalty that the viewers are developing for the channel. Our programming strategies reflect the changing viewing needs of the consumer and we are pleased that our strategic approach to programming has once again paid rich dividends, and we are confident that we will maintain this momentum over the years to continuously engage our Indian viewers.”
About CNN-IBN
TV18 and Time Warner have joined hands to bring CNN-IBN, India’s first and very own world-class English news channel, headed by one of the most credible faces of news journalism, Rajdeep Sardesai. CNN-IBN brings news as well as feature programs. With editorial and network resources across every nook and corner of India and the globe, CNN-IBN is committed to bring to the discerning Indian viewer only the best of television journalism.
For further information please contact:
Parul Bhasin/ Namrata Bhalla PR Pundit, New Delhi
Tel: 2656 0415, 2651 3075, 93502 65351
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.
