News Broadcasting
Diamond States Summit Uttarakhand edition culminates on a hopeful note
Mumbai: News18 India successfully organised the Uttarakhand edition of the Diamond States Summit in Dehradun, following the widely praised events in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Bihar. The summit provided a platform for meaningful discussions aimed at shaping a brighter future for Uttarakhand.
It brought together prominent leaders, policymakers, and industry figures from across the nation, including Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, minister of agriculture & rural development Ganesh Joshi, finance & urban development minister Prem Chand Aggarwal, minister of women empowerment & child development Rekha Arya, minister of animal husbandry, fisheries, skill development & employment Saurabh Bahuguna, Uttarakhand’s former chief minister Harish Rawat, Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar, principal secretary to CM R.K. Sudhanshu, and IPS-ADGP, special principal secretary, sports & youth welfare Amit Sinha, among others.
Dhami, stated, “The Congress only works to spread confusion and oppose good schemes like Agniveer, which offers better opportunities to soldiers. Our double engine government is focused on understanding the state’s needs and delivering real development. Despite natural disasters, we are committed to rebuilding Uttarakhand and making life easier for the people, especially women, with initiatives like 30 per cent reservation.”
Joshi, said, “From a soldier’s duty to a leader’s journey, my family and I have always served the people. The struggles I faced made me who I am, and Uttarakhand’s vision remains strong. Today, we honor our martyrs and build a state that upholds their sacrifice.”
Aggarwal, emphasised, “The Congress had 60 years in power, yet they never conducted a caste census—so why the need now? On the issue of ‘spit jihad,’ let it be clear that anyone engaging in such practices will not be tolerated. Our government is taking strict action. While we welcome people to come and work in Uttarakhand, we will not allow any instability to take root in our state.”
Bahuguna, expressed “Carrying forward the legacy of my grandfather and father is both an honor and a challenge. My focus remains on serving the people of Uttarakhand, not seeking the limelight. The faith our people have in BJP and PM Modi inspires every effort we put forth.”
Rawat, remarked, “In politics, there are wins and losses, but it’s troubling to lose even after winning. Haryana’s politics has shifted from development to divisions based on caste and religion. The time will come when people stop enjoying slogans and start focusing on real issues. The caste census is necessary as a one-time experiment to understand the true economic conditions of different communities and address their problems.”
The event wrapped up on a hopeful note, outlining an ambitious and progressive vision for Uttarakhand’s future. It offered a crucial forum for thought leaders, policymakers, and specialists to engage in meaningful discussions, fostering collective efforts toward advancing the state’s growth and development.
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.
