News Broadcasting
Microsoft is Arnab Republic’s technology partner
MUMBAI: Republic, Arnab Goswami’s most-awaited media technology venture, announced Microsoft India as its technology partner.
Through this unique partnership, Microsoft will power Republic’s broadcast techniques using some of its latest hardware and software offerings to deliver a superior news visualization experience for viewers.
Republic is an independent platform for journalists and content professionals. The venture will create a movement that will put the power of journalism into the hands of the citizens, and will be India’s first footprint in global journalism.
Republic editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami said, “We are a media-tech company and we are confident that together with Microsoft, we will change the way media and technology come together for a world class product for the generation next. This partnership is just the beginning.”
“The News landscape has evolved dramatically and Republic is at the forefront of that transformation. The partnership with Microsoft will bring its first-party devices, its productivity platforms and cutting edge innovation to dramatically enhance news delivery on linear and video on demand. The Republic audience is in for a treat!” mentioned Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani.
Microsoft through its mobile-first, cloud-first approach will help Republic rewrite how news is delivered to the consumer. Republic will use a range of Microsoft products and services that are designed to make newsrooms more productive. Through its computing infrastructure, Microsoft Azure will host the complete digital universe for Republic. Taking advantage of the Windows Mixed Reality experiences and cutting edge Surface Pro 4 devices, Republic is going to change the way news is consumed by viewers. Republic will also use Microsoft’s Office 365 for the collaboration and productivity needs of its employees.
“We look forward to working with the team at Republic to make this news platform a success in the market. Innovations in news formats and employing new means of storytelling are some of Republic’s value propositions. We are extremely excited to power this digital transformation in the media and entertainment space with integrated hardware and software experiences,” said Microsoft India president Anant Maheshwari.
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.
