News Broadcasting
Cost of TV sets drops significantly in Asia
MUMBAI: Consumer technology prices in Asia dropped significantly between 2003 and 2004 despite recent concerns about increases in commodities prices used to manufacture these goods.
GfK Asia has released its 2004 Pan Asian Consumer Technology Price Index.
Australians experienced the greatest drop in consumer technology prices. The figures indicate a 26 per cent decline in average price for 29″ flat screen TV, a 36 per cent decline in the average cost for 42″ plasma TVs and a 42 per cent decline in average price for 3 mp digital cameras between 2003 and 2004.
Hong Kong, China and Singapore all showed significant dips in average prices particularly in 32″ plasma TVs, 3 mp digital cameras and mobile phones. Mobile phone prices in the region are showing the steepest decrease in average price with a 36 per cent drop across the region between 2003 and 2004.
As far as 32″ LCD TVs are concerned, Taiwan experienced the most notable drop with a 2003 average price of $4,603 moving to an average price of $2,130 in 2004. This represents a 54 per cent decline.
GfK Asia MD Andy Drake said, “Our figures indicate that despite the recent rise in commodities prices, these increases are not being passed onto the consumer. In fact, what we are seeing is that consumer technology prices are steadily declining across all product categories surveyed over the Pan Asian Region.”
Citing economies of scale as one explanation for this phenomenon Drake added, “While the drop in consumer prices may raise red flags for manufactures, the increase in commodities prices is likely being offset by the robust growth in sales volumes throughout Asia.”
GfK Asia is part of the global GfK Group. The research company has over 15 years’ experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Its analysts track a broad range of consumer technology markets, including: consumer electronics, telecom, IT, household electrical appliances (large and small) as well as digital imaging.
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.
