News Broadcasting
Despite revenue drop ZMCL EBITDA up in FY 2020
BENGALURU: The Essel Group’s News media arm Zee Media Corporation Ltd (ZMCL) reported an eight percent decline in revenue from operations to Rs 631.75 crore for the year ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year or period under review) as compared to Rs 686.92 crore reported for the previous year FY 2019. ZMCL reported a loss of Rs 1.6 crore for FY 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 0.03 crore for the previous year.
Due to provision for impairment loss to the extent of Rs 332.92 crore for its entire investment of non-convertible and non-cumulative redeemable preference shares in respect of its investments in Diligent Media Corporation, the company reported a negative total comprehensive income (TCI) of Rs 272.72 crore for the year under review as compared to a negative TCI of Rs 6.35 crore for the previous year.
ZMCL’s EBITDA for FY 2020 increased 5.1 percent to Rs 182.5 crore (28.5 percent of operating revenue) as compared to Rs 173.64 crore (24.9 percent of operating revenue) for FY 2019.
Operating revenue break up
More than 90 percent of ZMCL revenue was advertisement or ad revenue during the year under review. Ad revenue for FY 2020 declined 5.3 percent to Rs 583.5 crore (92.4 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 616.13 crore (89.7 percent of operating revenue) in the previous year. Subscription revenue for the period under review declined 19.5 percent to Rs 38.16 crore (6 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 47.37 crore (6.9 percent of operating revenue) in the previous year. Other sales and services revenue decreased 56.9 percent in FY 2020 to Rs 10.09 crore (1.6 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 23.4 crore (3.4 percent of operating revenue) in FY 2019.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by ZMCL
ZMCL’s total expense in FY 2020 declined 4.3 percent to Rs 561.23 crore from Rs 586.68 crore in the previous year. Operating costs in FY 2020 declined 3.7 percent to Rs 109.52 crore from Rs 113.77 crore in FY 2019. Employee benefits expense for FY 2020 increased 4.7 percent to Rs 159.41 crore from Rs 1522.19 crore in FY 2019. Finance costs in the period under review increased 33.3 percent to Rs 24.01 crore from Rs 18.01 crore. Marketing, distribution and business promotion expenses in FY 2020 declined 35.8 percent to Rs 52.41 crore from Rs 81.61 crore in the previous year. Other expenses during the year under review declined 22.8 percent to Rs 127.91 crore from Rs 165.71 crore.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
