News Broadcasting
DD to upgrade digital broadcast infrastructure with Scopus
MUMBAI: Scopus Network Technologies which supplied digital platforms to FIFAs 2002 World Cup has announced that national broadcaster Doordarshan, has once again selected Scopus’ digital broadcast platforms to further upgrade its digital broadcast infrastructure.
An official release informs that Scopus digital broadcast platforms are being used to expand the existing nationwide terrestrial transmission system and will be used throughout the country for the re-distribution of TV signals from digital to analogue.
During the first half of the year, Scopus will supply over 1,000 professional Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRD-2800) to Doordarshan for operation at hundreds of reception sites throughout the country.
Doordarshans first order with Scopus and its strategic partner in India, Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), a major manufacturer of professional and strategic electronic equipment under the Indian ministry of defence production, was in March 2002. Scopus and BEL are again working together to supply and integrate this new contract for Scopus professional IRDs.
The release states that Scopus digital platforms include special features to meet Doordarshans technical specifications. These include the integration of audio/video monitoring at the front panel and multiple satellite reception inputs. Doordarshans new platforms will be used for redistribution of television programmes on the nationwide terrestrial transmission network.
Scopus’ sales director Arie Vered was quoted as saying, “Doordarshans second contract with Scopus represents a milestone in our growth and shows that our strategic focus on India is correct. Scopus is proud that meeting their specific technical needs as well as their stringent delivery schedule was what set us apart from the competition. We are moving forward with our plans in India to provide top quality, cost-effective platforms.”
The release informs that Scopus Network Technologies provides MPEG-2 and DVB video distribution architecture that enable professional broadcasters to make a quick and smooth transition to the digital age. Based on over 20 years of extensive research and expertise in digital compression algorithm development, Scopus solutions provide superior flexibility at the highest quality and cost-performance.
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.
