News Broadcasting
French satellite platform TDS to launch HDTV channel
MUMBAI: High definition programming is not coming – it’s already here. Since the beginning of 2004 Euro 1080 has been broadcasting a daily schedule of music and sports in the HDTV format. But that’s not all. French satellite platform TPS is planning to launch a dedicated HDTV channel.
European governments are facing a crucial decision as they are considering the timetable for analogue switch-off. Should terrestrial capacity be offered to existing DTT broadcasters to expand and improve their coverage or should space be set aside for the launch of new high definition services?
This TV conferences event follows on from the successful ‘So you want to start broadcasting?’ event held at Bafta in January. Our expert speakers will tell you how terrestrial, cable, satellite and other digital platforms should prepare for the widespread deployment of HDTV. You’ll be able to benefit from the experience of panelists the US, Japanese and Australian markets that have already introduced the format.
Technical experts will be explaining the differences between the different delivery and display systems in plain English under the watchful eye of moderators.
The confirmed speakers of the conference include Ferdinand Keyser, CEO, SES-Astra, Gabriel Fehervari, CEO, Euro 1080, Kim Anderson, Director of Digital Services, Nine Network, Australia, Peter MacAvock, Executive Director, DVB, Harold Gronenthal, Voom/Rainbow Media, United States, Tim Sheppard, Director of Strategic Development, Tandberg Television, Tim Felstead, Marketing Manager, Strategic Marketing and Business Development Group, Thomson Broadcast and Media Solutions Kevin Wakeford, Head of High Definition Business – Europe, Sony Professional Solutions Europe, Additional presentations from NHK Japan, Disney, Texas Instrument, The Carmel Group, Strategy Analytics and Screen Digest.
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.
