News Broadcasting
CNN News18 set to honour India’s invincible icons in Delhi
NEW DELHI: CNN News18 is gearing up for one of its biggest nights of the year as it hosts the 15th edition of the Indian of the Year Awards in New Delhi on 28 November. The annual celebration shines a spotlight on extraordinary Indians whose courage, creativity and commitment have shaped the nation’s story over the past year. This time, the theme India’s Invincible Icons sets the tone for an evening dedicated to those who inspire millions to dream a little bigger.
Launched in 2006, the awards have long been regarded as the gold standard of credibility in Indian news television. Known for spotlighting excellence with rigor and integrity, the event has become a sought after honour for leaders across industries and a yearly fixture for viewers across the country.
This year’s winners will be chosen by an elite jury featuring some of India’s most respected figures, including Sanjiv Goenka, DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra, Prasoon Joshi, Mahesh Jethmalani, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Amitabh Kant, Shefali Shah, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Gagan Narang and Lara Dutta. Their task is to evaluate nominees across eight categories that reflect India’s talent and tenacity.
The categories include entertainment, business, influencer, rising sports stars, youth icon, global indian, iconic woman achiever and climate warrior. Each category features five standout nominees whose work has created impact and sparked national admiration. Among the names in contention are Mohanlal, Rashmika Mandanna, Arijit Singh, Jaideep Ahlawat, Zakir Khan, Ananya Panday, Ishaan Khatter, Raj Shamani, Payal Kapadia, Falguni Nayar, Manish Malhotra and rapper Hanumankind.
The guest list promises to add even more sparkle to the evening. World Cup winning cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, along with coach Amol Muzumdar, are set to attend. ICC Chairperson Jay Shah will also be present. Fresh from their historic victory, the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup champions will join as a proud symbol of perseverance. Adding a dash of Hindi cinema charm, Saiyaara stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda will walk the red carpet.
CNN News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob, said the event celebrates those who dare to stand apart. He added that the awards continue to deliver a platform that mirrors the channel’s own drive for excellence. Network18 CEO of English and business news Smriti Mehra, said this year’s nominees have raised the bar across fields and inspired the nation with their achievements.
The event is presented by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group with wardrobe partner Reid & Taylor, powered by Reliance Industries Limited and supported by Polycab, HDFC Sky, Air India Express and LIC.
Viewers can catch the grand celebration live on 28 November from 6 pm on CNN News18 and its YouTube channel.
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.
