News Broadcasting
Mahanaaryaman Scindia joins as brand ambassador for TV9 Network’s football initiative
Mumbai: TV9 Network announces Mahanaaryaman Scindia as the brand ambassador for the ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses Talent Hunt,’ a football initiative aimed at discovering young talent across India. In collaboration with Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, the program selects 20 boys and 20 girls for professional training in Germany and Austria.
The initiative plans to reach over 100,000 schools and offers young footballers the chance to compete against European clubs, gaining valuable international exposure. In November, these players will be celebrated for their achievements on an international platform.
Scindia, passionate about football and youth development, said, “Football is close to my heart, and I’ve seen firsthand how much untapped potential exists in our country. Indian Tigers and Tigresses is a program that will open doors for young players, and I’m excited to be a part of it. This isn’t just about giving kids a platform, it’s about providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed on a global level.”
TV9 Network’s MD and CEO, Barun Das added, “We are a social catalyst and we are committed to support the Great Indian Football Dream. ‘Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ is a deeply personal project for me, aiming to unveil and nurture exceptional young footballers. Mahanaaryaman Scindia’s association with the program enhances our ability to make a meaningful impact on the future of Indian football, given his exceptional youth connect.”
The talent hunt seeks to inspire a new generation of Indian footballers and elevate the sport’s ecosystem.
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.
