News Broadcasting
India TV regains top slot with strong programming
MUMBAI: India TV’s Aap Ki Adalat episode featuring comedian turned actor Kapil Sharma has seen a 101 per cent rise in its ratings as compared to the show’s previous episode. This subsequently played a pivotal role in taking the channel back to the number one slot in week 38 in Hindi News channels segment. Kapil’s humour quotient paired with India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma’s array of clever questions seems to have worked like magic. What’s more, alongside the flagship show, the channel’s weekday prime time show Aaj Ki Baat with Rajat Sharma as well as Chunav Manch – India TV’s Bihar Conclave, also garnered good ratings during the same week.
As per data shared by BARC India on Indiantelevision.com’s request, the channel’s ratings jumped from 1967 in the last four weeks (week 34 to 37) to 3948 in week 38 from a sample of over 1 lakh viewers in the Hindi Speaking Market (HSM). This makes India TV the most viewed channel in the Hindi news segment in week 38.
The good ratings, however, doesn’t faze the editor-in-chief. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, he says, “We have always focussed on content. Ratings come automatically.” In fact, Sharma had an inkling that the episode with Kapil would be a hit with the audience. “The first indication that the show would be a hit was when I noticed the audience present in the studio enjoying Kapil’s answers,” he adds.
According to Rajat Sharma, Kapil’s interesting anecdotes won the audience over during the show. “Kapil in Aap Ki Adalat was spontaneous. While answering my questions, he narrated some interesting anecdotes, which the audience liked. The presence of Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari in the studio and his ‘jugalbandi’ with Kapil helped in making the show a bigger hit,” he informs.
It is interesting to note that the two Sharmas have previously made an appearance together on screen last year on Colors’ Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma, where Rajat Sharma was invited as a guest.
In the Hindi News channels space, Zee News has been at the number one spot as per BARC for the last two weeks. On the other hand, India TV has also been at top of the ladder many a times over the last few months
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.
