News Broadcasting
ETV revamps channels in five states, launches special
MUMBAI: Continuing with the on-going refresh of its channels, ETV channels in MP/Chhattisgarh, Bihar/Jharkhand and Rajasthan also underwent a complete makeover. Apart from the fresh packaging, new look and feel; new shows were also launched on these channels. To promote the new look, the channel will also be rolling out a multi-media campaign across the states.
Panorama Television, a part of Network18, operates 13 channels and is among India’s largest regional news networks comprising of ETV and News18 brands across 26 states .
Network 18 president – strategy, product & alliances & A + E Networks MD Avinash Kaul said, “We are committed to bring the best in terms of content, formats and packaging to the viewers of ETV in each state. ETV channels in UP/Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Karnataka have already been revamped. The changes that are being effected in these three channels now are a part of the same process towards ensuring a consistent, common and superlative viewing experience.”
In terms of their programming, all three channels will have a hard hitting debate show Prime Debate at 8pm. While the branding of the show will be common, in different states it will focus on the top news of the state for the day and discuss the same threadbare. The show will be hosted by top anchors such as JP Sharma in Rajasthan and Praveen Dubey & Prakash Chandra Hota in MP and Chhattisgarh respectively.
A new crime show Tafteesh will also be launched – all three channels will have this show and will highlight the latest crime stories from each state. Special shows will also be launched such as News Trendz on ETV MP which will present the latest trends on social media and Seedhi Satt a one on one interview show with Shreepal Shaktawat on ETV Rajasthan.
ETV News Network group editor Rajesh Raina added, “We feel that these changes will help us further consolidate our position as the leading news channel in each state. We believe that the channels’ refreshed look will further strengthen our connect with our viewers as they will get an enriched viewer experience while we continue to provide them the news that matters to them most.”
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.
