News Broadcasting
Hinduja Ventures to become an operating media corporation
MUMBAI: The Board of Directors of Hinduja Ventures Limited (“HVL”) have approved Scheme of Arrangement between IndusInd Media and Communications Limited (Demerged Company) and Hinduja Ventures Limited (Resulting Company) and their respective shareholders subject to all statutory/ regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders.
The IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (“IMCL”) business consists of digital content distribution using multiple platforms such as satellite and fibre. It also carries Broadband and internet business carried out through its subsidiary OneOTT Intertainment Limited (“OIL”). IMCL also has a dedicated unit that develops content for various platforms and owns a significant content library and movie negatives.
HVL believes that this media business has a high growth potential going forward due to a fast maturing industry and recent regulatory reforms like New Tariff Order (“NTO”). These stimuli provide the right opportunity to consolidate media vertical which will propel it to the next level of growth and performance. The exchange ratio for the proposed restructuring exercise shall be 10 equity shares of HVL fully paid up for each 125 equity shares of IMCL fully paid up.
Benefits of this consolidation into a single group will achieve flexibility, scale and financial strength. Upon segregation of identified business undertaking, post restructuring the Company shall be able to achieve higher long-term financial returns, increased competitive strength, cost reduction and efficiencies, productivity gains, and logistical advantages, thereby significantly contributing to future growth in their respective business verticals.
The benefits that shall accrue to the shareholders are Consolidation and growth of Media and Communications undertaking which will help to enhance and will show marked improvement in market shares and revenues.; Focused Management, Organization Efficiency and Operational Synergies; Unlock shareholders value; and Efficiency in Fund raising for harnessing future growth
The appointed date of the scheme of arrangement might be October 01, 2019 after securing all statutory and regulatory approvals.
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.
