News Broadcasting
Digital Video Recorders benefit hit shows and advertisments: US networks
MUMBAI: A new study conducted by executives from prominent US broadcast networks show that homes with Digital Video Recorders (DVR) watch significantly more television, and could increase the average primetime audience for a program by an average of 4 per cent. Interestingly, this is contrary to earlier claims that Digital Video Recorders would have an adverse impact on ad-supported television.
According to an official communiqué, released by DVR major Tivo, the networks highlighted multiple reports showing that DVR households watched 12 per cent more television, and that they are exposed to a greater number of commercial impressions. The results of these studies, though early, confirm what the networks’ own proprietary studies have found all along: DVRs increase the viewing of television’s most popular programming, as well as commercials, the release adds.
The study conducted by researchers from networks ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB highlighted the following:
1) When factoring in DVR usage, primetime programs increase their audience by an average of 4 per cent. This figure is based on a study conducted by Nielsen that examined DVR usage in seven major markets, including Houston, Tampa, Denver, Orlando, Charlotte, Raleigh and Austin – regions with large enough samples to report DVR usage.
2) Homes with DVRs averaged 5.7 hours of television viewing per day, compared to 5.1 from homes without DVRs. This represents a 12 per cent increase in the amount of time spent watching TV.
3) Additionally, the networks’ own proprietary research found that DVR viewers do pay attention to commercials, and that they show high levels of awareness/ recall on commercials they have fast-forwarded. Among the findings:
4) 58 per cent of DVR users pay attention to commercials even while fast forwarding
5) 53 per cent of DVR users have gone back to watch commercials they mistakenly skipped.
As per the study, the 10 most played back programs on DVRs were network television programs are:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Survivor
3. CSI
4. Lost
5. American Idol
6. The Apprentice
7. 24
8. ER
9. The O.C.
10. Grey’s Anatomy
DVR penetration in US households now stands at 8 per cent, representing 11.4 million viewers. By 2010, that number is expected to grow to 39 percent, adds the official release.
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.
