News Broadcasting
‘Junior MasterChef Swaad Ke Ustaad’ wins at the 19th ATA
NEW DELHI: The 19th Asian Television Awards (ATA) ceremony took place on 11 December 2014 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. With 1,371 entries from 14 countries across Asia-Pacific, this year’s ATA was attended by over 500 industry professionals in broadcasting, entertainment and the media. In all, 199 channels from 119 broadcasters, as well as 64 independent production companies, vied for accolades across 38 award categories.
A total of 43 trophies were awarded at the ceremony, including the “Outstanding Contribution to Asian Television” which was presented to Metan Global Entertainment Group president and CEO Larry Namer.
“We’ve seen tremendous interest for our Awards over the years. Not only have the number of entries increased, we’re also seeing greater participation from more Asian broadcasters and production companies, making this Awards truly representative of Asia,” said Asian Television Awards chairman Raymond Wong.
He added, “To enhance the standing of the Awards and build its brand amongst the viewers of our industry, the proceedings of the Asian Television Awards last year were carried by FOX International Channels (FIC) and MediaCorp TV. This year we will continue to do the same and I am pleased to announce that Bangkok TV and Astro will be joining us as a Broadcast Partner, carrying the Awards’ proceedings on its Channel 7HD, Astro Ria and Astro Maya HD respectively. Together with FIC’s Star World, MediaCorp’s Channel 5, Bangkok TV’s Channel 7HD, Astro’s Ria and Maya HD, the Asian Television Awards will reach out to more than 40 million households across Asia Pacific.”
Here is the list of winners of significant categories –
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.
