News Broadcasting
Darren Childs is BBC MD global TV channels
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has appointed Darren Childs as the MD of BBC’s global TV channels.
He is currently Sony Pictures Television International senior VP. He takes up his post at the BBC later this year. He will lead the further expansion of the international channels business of BBC Worldwide. The channels business has been identified as one of the key areas for growth by the BBC Worldwide Board. Childs reports to BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith.
The position was newly created as a result of the restructuring of BBC Worldwide into six divisions – TV Channels, TV Sales, Magazines, Children’s, Home Entertainment and New Media.Smith said, “It is fantastic for us that Darren joins BBC Worldwide at a really exciting time. His experience and insight will help to maximise the potential of the expertise in our channels teams and of our strong brand image worldwide, and we look forward to seeing expansion in the business over the coming year.”
Childs said, “This is a great opportunity to be involved in the expansion of BBC Worldwide’s network of channels as well as the continued success of the existing portfolio of wholly owned and JV channels. I am delighted to be joining a team that has already achieved such considerable successes around the world, and to also work closely with the BBC’s JV partners. With such a strong brand, together with some of the best content available, the business is well positioned for continued growth in the global marketplace.”
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.
