News Broadcasting
Huawei extends commercial partnership with CNN
MUMBAI: Huawei is extending its commercial partnership with CNN International launching a 12-week integrated campaign that spans program sponsorship, on-air weekly segments and vignettes, spot advertising, banner ads and digital components.
The centre-piece of the campaign is the sponsorship of CNN International flagship program Connect the World in Asia and Latin America. Live from Abu Dhabi, Connect the World is hosted by Becky Anderson and analyses today’s news stories, anticipates their consequences and contextualises their origins.
The Connect the World program sponsorship is complemented with the launch of a new on-air series called The Connectors, which will be seen across APAC, LATAM, and EMEA.
The Connectors explores the creative thinking behind some of the world’s most successful products, as well as the innovative business solutions shaping brands today. Each week will see a creative team take audiences on a journey from idea to fruition.
Beginning week of 1 February, 2016, the first segment features internationally-renowned Aardman Animations, the creators of the iconic Wallace and Gromit series. Aardman creative director Peter Lord and his team discuss the creative process behind Special Delivery, a new immersive 3D interactive short story project commissioned by Google Spotlight Stories.
In addition to the segments, weekly vignettes will showcase people from the world of business and lifestyle who use straightforward logic to solve problems plaguing their industry. Kicking-off the series is Dearman, a start-up clean tech company that uses liquid air and nitrogen to deliver zero-emission power and cooling.
CNN International vice president advertising sales Asia Pacific Sunita Rajan said, “CNN International and Huawei have had a long-standing relationship but this new campaign which incorporates program sponsorship and an on-air series takes the partnership to a much deeper level. We’re delighted to partner with Huawei across CNN’s television and digital platforms and we’re confidentThe Connectors will resonate with audiences around the world.”
Huawei Consumer Business Group CMO Glory Zhang added, “We are thrilled to further our relationship with CNN and its exceptional reach. The Connectors series perfectly complements our vision of ‘Building a Better Connected World,’ emphasising a need for greater agility, creativity and compelling content behind businesses today. Being able to reach audiences via integrated platforms that resonate is key for us. We are confident the latest CNN campaign will propel our message to new heights, be it to showcase the newest Huawei watch, Mate 8 or P8 Smartphones.”
The Connectors begins week of 1 February, 2016 and airs in CNN International flagship programConnect the World.
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.
