News Broadcasting
ET Now doubles the drama with South Central and Ayesha Faridi’s Interview
MUMBAI: Lights, camera, South India! ET Now, India’s leading English business news channel, is spicing up its programming lineup with two brand-new offerings South Central and The Interview with Ayesha Faridi. Both promise to add depth, drama, and dialogue to the channel’s already formidable portfolio.
First up is South Central, a weekday special airing from 29th September 2025, 5:30 pm–6:00 pm, helmed by ET Now’s Jude Sujendran. More than just a show, it’s a journey into the beating heart of South India, a region that’s equal parts economic powerhouse and cultural trendsetter. From boardroom battles in Bengaluru to cinematic splendour in Chennai, the show will explore everything from politics and policy to food and lifestyle. Its editorial pillars business & economy, politics & policy, cinema & culture, and food & lifestyle ensure that viewers get the full southern thali, not just a side dish.
Then comes The Interview with Ayesha Faridi, premiering on 3rd October 2025 at 3:30 pm. Executive editor Ayesha Faridi will trade soundbites for substance in a 25-minute deep dive with marquee voices from business, markets, policy, sports, and culture. Expect candid revelations, untold stories, and insights into future strategies from leaders shaping the country’s direction. Designed to rise above the clutter of breaking news, this flagship weekly show aims to bring clarity and context to India’s biggest decisions.
“Both the shows embody our vision of combining sharp analysis with engaging narratives, offering viewers unmatched perspectives on the people and forces shaping India’s economy, politics, and culture,” Times Network said in a statement.
For ET Now, already home to marquee programmes like The Market, First Trades and Closing Trades, the new additions reinforce its ethos of Rise with India, with coverage spanning 16 countries.
So whether it’s the spice of southern stories or the candour of conversations, ET Now’s festive programming treat promises something fresh for every viewer.
Tune in to South Central every weekday at 5:30 pm, and The Interview with Ayesha Faridi every Friday at 3:30 PM, only on ET Now.
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.
