News Broadcasting
Irdeto Access ties with Zhengzhou Broadcasting for content protection
Irdeto Access, a leading player in content protection and management, has signed a license agreement with Zhengzhou Broadcasting & TV Information Network for delivery of its content protection system, Irdeto M-Crypt.
Irdeto Access, a subsidiary of MIH Limited, the Subscriber Platforms group and its Chinese partner, Shenzhen Advanced Video Info-Tech will together offer advanced technologies for the digital upgrade programme underway in the Zhengzhou cable TV network. The network currently offers 500,000 subscribers many analogue, digital and interactive multi-function valued-added services, says an official release. In addition, Zhengzhou provides data transmission and full network application solutions to government bodies, financial securities, education and enterprises.
Irdeto Access will provide a series of advanced digital conditional access (CA) system solutions for the project, including the digital CA system head-end and smart cards. The first order of smart cards has already been delivered to Zhengzhou Broadcasting & TV Information Network. Shenzhen AVIT is Irdeto Access’ licensed partner in China that provides related products and STBs with integrated Irdeto Access’ technologies, the release states.
Irdeto Access CA technology was localised for the Chinese market in 2001. From January 2002 when the Irdeto Access’ technology was approved by the China State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), the deployment of its products has increased rapidly in China, the company claims.
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.
