News Broadcasting
Cox to partner with MTV US on HD channel
MUMBAI: MTV in the US and Cox Communications have announced a co-branded retail partnership that will promote MHD: Music High-Definition Channel.
This is MTV’s high-definition music channel. The retail partnership will include in-store and online promotions tied to consumer retail locations around the US. The partnership will also push Cox HD Service, where Cox services are sold
The retail partnership is designed to not only generate awareness about MHD and Cox HD service, but to also provide a convenient location where customers can learn about the technology, service and programming available.
VHI GM Tom Calderone says, “Working with Cox Communications, the first provider to launch MHD, allows us to bring television viewers a high-definition experience from the best known music brands in the business. Our retail partnership furthers our commitment to offer Cox customers’ in-depth information about high-definition television in a retail setting where they can get answers and take advantage of promotional opportunities.”
Cox senior VP marketing Joe Rooney says, “Live concerts and music are among the top reasons customers want high-definition service. MHD content especially appeals to a newer, younger HD consumer who is driven by music and gaming. Our retail partnership is a great way to truly demonstrate the high-definition experience to this audience by offering a ‘front row seat’ to some of the most exciting live music events on television. It also gives us a platform to communicate to these consumers why Cox is the best choice for HD service.”
Cox will offer the channel to over 80 per cent of its subscribers next year. MHD features a high-definition music programming, including MTV Unplugged: Alicia Keys, VH1 Storytellers: Green Day, CMT Crossroads: John Fogerty and Keith Urban as well as original concert series such as Music with Altitude featuring the Goo Goo Dolls.
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.
