News Broadcasting
Global broadcast body oks access procedures for satellite uplink
MUMBAI: The World Broadcasting Unions International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG), which includes broadcasters, satellite operators, transmission service providers and industry groups have unanimously approved a set of Universal Access Procedures (UAP) for all satellite uplinks aimed at significantly reducing satellite interference.
The WBU-ISOG has submitted a new draft recommendation to the International Telecommunication Union Study Group 4B (ITU-R SG 4B) in Geneva, Switzerland, for satellite newsgathering (SNG), in time for the next Study Group 4B meeting in April.
Members of the WBU-ISOG are calling on broadcasters and satellite operators to collectively help eliminate satellite interference, with special concern for deliberate events of interference caused by rogue carriers. These carriers intentionally transmit to satellite capacity that has been assigned to legitimate users, interrupting network broadcasters who use the satellites for newsgathering, program acquisition and distribution to their customers.
Dick Tauber, chairman of WBU-ISOG and vice president, Transmission Systems and New Technology for the CNN News Group at CNN in Atlanta, told TelecomWeb that it is important that broadcasters, satellite operators and uplink service providers work together to reduce and eliminate interference caused by equipment malfunction and human errors, so we, as an industry, can focus on and thwart those who dont play by the rules and purposely interfere with global satellite broadcasts. We anticipate adoption and approval from the ITU. Our recommendations have the full support of key satellite industry groups.
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.
