News Broadcasting
Indian Decision Makers Survey lists BBC World as top news channel
MUMBAI: BBC World is the most watched channel amongst decision makers in India, according to an AC Nielsen ORG Marg Decision Makers Survey (DMS4), released recently.
The study reveals that BBC World reached 48 per cent of all decision makers each week, higher than Aaj Tak which reached 46 per cent, NDTV 24×7 which had a reach of 45 per cent and CNBC which came last at 40 per cent reach. Reigning mainstream channel Star Plus was viewed by 34 per cent of those questioned.
In 1997, BBC World was first named the most popular channel in this study. In 2000, BBC World was still on top of the heap among decision makers and has retained its position as number one TV channel in the third successive Indian Decision Makers Survey showing that despite the launch of other news services, the channel has retained its advantage amongst corporate decision makers and affluent people, says a BBC World release.
The survey spans a base of corporate decision makers- general managers and above- from 500 private sector companies registered in India, the 100 largest public sector firms and 100 representatives from the financial sector. The survey reveals the average age of the corporate decision maker is 46 and the average annual salary is Rs 1.7 millions..
The survey also shows that news and news-based programmes enjoy the highest viewership among corporate decision makers, with 97 per cent tuning in and 59 per cent watching current affairs programmes.
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.
