News Broadcasting
ESS launches interactive show targeting mobile users
MUMBAI: Television’s cricket audience are not just ‘dumb viewers’, at least that is what ESPN Star Sports (ESS) believes. The sports broadcaster, along with wireless solutions provider OnMobile Systems, has launched an interactive television sports programme that gives mobile subscribers a chance to interact with ESS commentators during the live coverage of Asia Cup matches.
Subscribers of Airtel, Orange/ Hutch, Tata Indicom and Idea Cellular will have to call a unique number and express their views on IndianOil Asia Cup. A team of ESPN Star Sports’ officials after analysing viewers’ opinions and comments would invite selected callers to interact with the commentators during the live coverage.
OnMobile has provided the technology for interactive programme, which has been launched for the duration of the cricket championship, stated an official release.
ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd Cricket and Indian Production director Ray Hume said, “The latest initiative marks a significant step forward in TV-mobile interactive programmes in India. The motive is to make people interact with television rather than just watch it. The format of the initiative is extremely user friendly. Mobile users can simply record their views after dialing a number and selected callers will be rewarded with a chance to interact with our commentators live on air. I am confident that this level of simplicity will bring a new phase of interactive programming in the country.”
The interactive programming service is available nationally to over 17 million mobile users. The users will be charged Rs 6 per minute for availing this service across India. Subscribers simply have to call a number and say STAR Sports to leave comments/ opinion about the ‘IndianOil Asia Cup’ in English or Hindi. The number for Airtel is 646, Hutch – 123, IDEA cellular – 456 and Tata Indicom (applicable in Mumbai and Pune only) is 1590.
OnMobile technology currently enables users to purchase PINs for the popular ESPN Super Selector game using their mobile phones. The cost of the PIN is charged to the users’ mobile bill, the release added.
“At OnMobile, we are focused on making services easy-to-use. We are very excited to be working with ESS in developing simple, yet powerful interactive programming services. Mobile subscribers become active participants in the channel’s programmes, while generating revenues for the mobile operators, making it a win-win situation for everyone” said OnMobile Systems CEO Arvind Rao.
ESS and Yahoo! India had earlier announced a strategic partnership for cross-media SMS interactivity and promotion across the channel for the Asia Cup.
ESPN STAR Sports will be simultaneously telecasting the last five matches of ‘IndianOil Asia cup’ with Hindi commentary on Star Sports along with English commentary on ESPN. Star Sports Hindi cricket telecast will be called Voice Aapki-Choice Aapki and will be anchored by Suman. The Hindi team will also include former Pak captain Waqar Younis, former Indian Test players Arun Lal, Maninder Singh and Vinod Kambli. On STAR Sports, in addition to Hindi commentary, the broadcaster will introduce Hindi-programming initiatives.
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.
