News Broadcasting
DG2L to unveil world’s first interactive STB at NAB 2004
MUMBAI: DG2L Technologies, Inc., the premier provider of next-generation digital media technologies and producer of the most advanced set-top box solution, announced on 31 March that it will unveil DG2L Neuron – the world’s first, multi-network, HDTV MPEG-4 set-top box (STB), at the 2004 NAB in Las Vegas.
DG2L Neuron is the most comprehensive and versatile STB, capable of delivering high definition and standard definition interactive broadcast and IP streams over DVB-S, DVB-C, DVB-T and IP networks respectively.
The Neuron STB will also offer advanced digital services, including video on demand (VOD), pay per view (PPV), personal video recording (PVR), and MPEG-4 systems layer interactive program guides, all at a significantly lower price than any other STB in its class.
In addition to DG2L Neuron, DG2L will also unveil several other new products at NAB: the Phoenix 200A and 200D, DG2L’s line of analog and digital MPEG-4 broadcast encoders and IRD/decoders. The company will also launch the latest version of its DG2L digital cinema system.
DG2L Neuron sets a new standard for set-top box functionality and pricing. The feature-rich set-top box receives and delivers rich multimedia interactive,VOD, and live content over DVB or IP networks, and comes complete with extended PVR functionality. DG2L Neuron offers HDTV in MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, both live and on-demand.
The state-of-the-art STB was designed to scale to the needs of homes connected to broadcast or broadband networks worldwide, while providing compatibility with standard and High Definition (HD) formats. DG2L Neuron receives and delivers audio-visual and interactive streams over DVB-S, DVB-C, DVB-T or IP networks.
DG2L Neuron delivers world-leading functionality at world’s best price ‘Cable and satellite operators have entered a new phase of heightened competition,” said DG2L CEO Ankur Sheth. “Interactivity, versatility, high definition television and extended service programming are the key differentiators for attracting and retaining customers. The DG2L Neuron set-top box delivers the most compelling offering for providers wishing to differentiate themselves. With advanced functionality, including pay per view, video on demand, personal video recording, high quality MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 HD and standard TV, coupled with the ability to receive signals over all DVB and IP standards, DG2L Neuron is the most powerful and competitively priced set-top box on the market today.”
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.
