News Broadcasting
iTV Network shuffles its pack with two chief executive appointments
NEW DELHI: India’s iTV Network has announced a significant management reshuffle that sees two of its executives elevated to chief executive roles, effective 13 August 13. The appointments signal the network’s determination to capitalise on India’s booming digital media market whilst reinforcing its traditional broadcasting strengths.
Akshansh Yadav has been appointed chief executive of digital operations, taking charge of what the network describes as its “most dynamic digital properties.” Yadav, who brings over a decade of experience from heavyweight media organisations including ABP News, Zee News and the India Today group, will oversee an eclectic portfolio spanning NewsX, India News, The Daily Guardian, The Sunday Guardian and Inkhabar.
His credentials extend beyond traditional media. A computer science engineering graduate from Rajasthan Technical University with an MBA from MICA and a machine learning qualification from Harvard University, Yadav has also cut his teeth in fintech and direct-to-consumer sectors at Canara HSBC Insurance, Insurance Dekho and CarDekho. This blend of media savvy and tech expertise positions him well for iTV’s digital ambitions.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Gulati becomes chief executive of NewsX, NewsX World, NXT and—rather unexpectedly—the Indian Arena Polo League. A journalist with more than two decades in electronic media, Gulati has been instrumental in building NewsX’s credibility and will now oversee the network’s push into international markets through NewsX World, whilst nurturing NXT as what the company calls a “trendsetter focused on future affairs.”
The polo league addition reflects iTV’s appetite for diversification beyond news into premium sports content—a strategy that mirrors other Indian media conglomerates seeking new revenue streams.
“High-quality content is at the core of our work at iTV Network,” said iTV Foundation chairperson Aishwarya Pandit Sharma. The restructuring, she explained, would enable “swifter decision-making and better cross-platform collaboration” whilst better equipping the network to tackle “the challenges of the rapidly changing media environment.”
The appointments come at a pivotal moment for Indian media. Traditional broadcasters face mounting pressure from streaming platforms and digital-first news operations, whilst advertisers increasingly shift budgets towards digital channels. India’s digital advertising market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 20 per cent, making the battle for digital dominance increasingly fierce.
For iTV Network, owned by entrepreneur Kartikeya Sharma, these leadership changes represent a bet that specialised management can unlock growth across its diverse properties. The network’s portfolio spans serious news through The Daily Guardian to entertainment-focused content, requiring different strategies and audience approaches.
The challenge for both executives will be maintaining editorial credibility whilst driving commercial growth in an increasingly crowded and competitive market. With regional players expanding nationally and global platforms localising content, iTV’s success will depend on how effectively it can leverage its established brand whilst innovating for digital-native audiences.
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.
