News Broadcasting
Headlines Today gears up for elections
MUMBAI: Elections and cricket are the talk of the nation at present. And news channels are leaving no stones unturned to cover the events extensively. Aaj Tak’s English counterpart Headlines Today has also made elaborate plans to cover the forthcoming general elections.
The news channel has drawn up a comprehensive programming strategy adding a number of properties to cater to its audience. The election-related programming has been christened Battle of the Alliances since broadly speaking the battle is between the NDA and the opposition comprising the Congress-led alliance. The programming would involve comprehensive and up-to-the minute coverage straight from the battleground. Regular field reports and latest analysis of the political developments, and will continue till mid-May on the channel.
The crisp election programming Headlines Today would dwell on the key points covering relevant information, without getting into extensive analysis.
As part of this overall electoral theme, Headlines Today has also created numerous segments to provide an enriching viewer experience.
Swot Analysis – A report card on the Union Cabinet, which would audit the performances of the various ministers in the fray. It would draw upon the strengths and weaknesses of the various ministers and identify the various opportunities and threats that they are likely to come across. Starting shortly, this programme will continue till the elections.
From the Frontlines A travelogue, this would present the common mans perspective on the elections. The anchor will cover the entire nation including remote places to provide the views of the electorate. This segment would include live chats with the electorate across the country and provide a glimpse of the mindset of the electorate.
Court Martial This segment would put an MP under the scanner, holding them accountable for their performance. This would be based on a survey conducted by a research agency in the various constituencies, and would depict the mass perception on their candidates.
Battle Cry Featuring the choicest bytes, this would constitute the best political comments of the day.War Room From our election room, this would comprise of psephological analysis of the various permutations and combinations, and project the swings that are likely to take place.
Nehrus Numbers A prediction-based weekly show, this would consist of political forecasts made by Arun Nehru.
Speaking on the various initiatives TV Today Networks spokesperson Rajesh Sheshadri said, Headlines Today as a channel provides sharp and crisp news to a predominantly urban audience. The challenge lies in providing concise election communication in a manner thats interesting and also complete. Creating an analogy with the battlefield will capture all the strategic aspects of electioneering in terms of flanking, defence mechanisms and all other movements.
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.
