News Broadcasting
Dasmunsi launches Zee News director Laxmi Goel’s book ‘Pehal’
NEW DELHI: You cannot fault Zee News for not trying. Ratings, or the lack of it, notwithstanding.
I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, along with Zee News director and author of the book Laxmi N. Goel, after unveiling `Pehal’ And the fact was also noted by information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi yesterday when he said here, “I wish more news channels would follow Zee News’ examples of showing programmes that are not always aimed at garnering ratings, but aimed at highlighting life beyond politicians, sting and page three.”
Speaking at a the launch of a book Pehal, which has been inspired by a programme of the same name on Zee News, Dasmunsi took a light-hearted dig at television channels, which are “running after TRPs” and have forgotten their social responsibilities.
Former Zee News anchor Nidhi Kulpati, who has joined NDTV India, with Dish TV business head Jawahar Goel at the post-launch party Zee News director Laxmi N. Goel, who has authored Pehal that carries a chapter each on the big difference made in the society by small unknown people from various parts of the country, said, “I am really moved by the efforts of these ordinary people who are really leading extraordinary lives.”
He added, “They deserve more in their lives. This book should really be reaching out to every corner of the nation and inspire our citizens to help the cause within their own limitations and, if possible, to open a new front to provide a solution to the problems persisting in their immediate environment.”
Among the channel’s socially motivated programmes, Goel said Pehal has acquired a unique place because of its larger than life tales of true humanity.
Forty of those who featured in the programme and the book were also honoured with a plaque at the Friday event, which was attended by many prominent people of Delhi.
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.
