News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio to revolutionise primetime news television
Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind partnership in the news industry, CNN-News18 and Federal Bank have joined hands to launch CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio. The collaboration aims to redefine the landscape of primetime news broadcasting in India.
The CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio will launch on 25th April 2024, broadcasting live on weekdays from 6 pm to 10 pm. It will feature a stellar lineup of anchors hosting primetime shows, such as ‘Plain Speak’ with Shivani Gupta at 6 pm, ‘The Hard Facts’ with Rahul Shivshankar at 7 pm, ‘The Right Stand’ with Anand Narasimhan at 8 pm, and ‘Brass Tacks’ with Zakka Jacob at 9 pm.
The CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio will feature state-of-the-art studio design and is equipped with the latest technology, AR and immersive visuals, providing viewers with an engaging and unparalleled viewing experience.
Commenting on the partnership, Network18 CEO – English News Smriti Mehra said, “This partnership in the form of CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio marks a significant milestone in the news industry. We are excited to bring a new dimension to primetime news broadcasting amidst India’s Lok Sabha polls, with cutting-edge technology and immersive visuals, offering viewers an unparalleled viewing experience like never before.”
Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor of CNN-News18, added, “Amidst India’s 2024 General Elections, the role of news channels has become increasingly pivotal. Our partnership with Federal Bank heralds a new era in primetime news, ensuring viewers receive the most relevant, important information most engagingly when it matters the most.”
Federal Bank chief marketing officer M V S Murthy said, “At Federal Bank, we have always believed in more marketing per marketing. It’s a proud moment for us to be able to co-create The Primetime Studio for India’s Leading Anchors. Our sense is that this is going to have a high impact as the World’s 5th largest economy is getting into the Election season. CNN- News18 has the gravitas of audiences, who believe that India is News and they want to hear not just the headlines but in-depth analysis, perspectives and trajectory that will catalyse the India story further up the charts into the top 3 economies of the World.”
Known for its unparalleled news quality, CNN-News18 brings news that matters. The channel’s philosophy ‘On Your Side,’ ensures viewers are central to the discourse shaping their present and future.
In terms of viewership, CNN-News18 has been the number-one channel in the English news genre for over 108 consecutive weeks*. It also dominates the crucial primetime slot, providing news and analysis during the most crucial hours.
Starting 25 April the CNN-News18 & Federal Bank Prime Time Studio will be aired live on weekdays from 6 pm to 10 pm on CNN-News18.
*Source: BARC India | Mkt: India | TG: 2+ All | Period: Wk. 12’22-15’24 | Avg. Weekly AMA 000’s
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.
