News Broadcasting
Jay Jagannath Padayatra – An exclusive initiative by News18 Odia to celebrate the unveiling of Puri Heritage Corridor
Mumbai: Lord Shree Jagannath, revered by the people of Odisha, holds a special place in their hearts—a symbol of divine spirituality and cultural heritage. As January 17, 2024, approaches, excitement surges across the state. This auspicious day marks the grand unveiling of the Puri Heritage Corridor by the Government of Odisha, a momentous occasion that will captivate the gaze of millions of Jagannath devotees globally.
The News18 Network has consistently played a pivotal role in capturing the true spirit and vibrancy of festivals, delivering innovative programs with high-quality content. In alignment with this commitment, News18 Odia is set to organize a spectacular rally on January 16th, serving as a curtain-raiser for the inauguration ceremony.
This rally is not merely an event; it is a unique and unparalleled experience that promises to be etched in the memories of all attendees. The rally will feature a grand convoy of several vehicles, each meticulously decorated with models representing the redeveloped Shree Jagannath Temple and the divine trinity, cultural performances, and an open-air studio for dynamic discussions. Culminating in a spectacular on-stage closing ceremony in Puri, the event will feature eminen, who will actively participate in the rally.
t personalities who have contributed significantly to their respective fields. Distinguished personalities, including CP-Bhubaneswar Soumendra Priyadarshi, cine actor Sabyasachi, cine actress Archita, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, sprinter Dutee Chand, Odishi dancer Aruna Mohanty, music director Manmath Mishra, and international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.
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.
