News Broadcasting
ETC Networks posts PAT of Rs 141m for FY2003
ETC Networks’ total income for the quarter ended 31 March 2003 (4QFY03) was Rs 88.21 million (as compared to Rs 92 million for the corresponding period ended 31 March 2002). The net profit for the quarter was Rs 16 million as compared to the loss of Rs 157.29 million for 4QFY02.
A press release states that the year 2002-03 has been one of of consolidation and growth for the company. Despite the film and music industry going through its worst period the company has been able to register handsome increase in its total revenue and operating profits, it adds.
The ETC Networks scrip opened the day at Rs 41.45 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and dropped 2.29 per cent to end the day at Rs 40.65. The 52-week high and low of the company were Rs 99 and Rs 33 respectively.
The release also states that the increase in profits is mainly because of increase in total revenues and strict cost control measures taken by the company. During the year total operating revenue has increased by 26 per cent and total operating costs have decreased by 17 per cent as compared to previous year’s figures.
The release also mentions that the dividend will be paid on expanded capital of Rs 139.2 million. Total cash out flow on account of payment of dividend will be Rs 27.8 million. The dividend will be free of tax in the hands of shareholders’ since the company would be paying dividend tax at the rate of 12.5 per cent amounting to Rs 3.5 million.
In terms of future strategy, ETC Networks has started the process of integration of various functions such as sales and programming in order to draw synergies from the strengths of each other. It has started recycling its existing programmes to exploit the same in overseas markets using Zee’s existing international platform. In UK, the programmes have received overwhelming response from the viewers, the release adds. There are plans to launch the programmes on a commercial basis in USA and some other markets also.
The release also mentions that the company has taken conscious decision to improve upon its channel content by having optimum mix of trailors and music and film based programmes. As such the inventory for trailors on the channels is restricted. This policy has already resulted in increase in advertising revenues on both channels, the release adds.
According to the release, ETC Punjabi and ETC (Music) have further consolidated their market leader status in their respective genre. ETC Punjabi claims to enjoy 70 per cent market share among all Punjabi channels and ETC (music) claims to have a 40 per cent market share among the music channels in India. Out of top 25 programmes among the music channel 16 programmes are from ETC (as per TAM report), says the release.
In order to improve corporate governance practices, the company has appointed CR. Mehta, former member company law board, as additional director on the board.
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.
