News Broadcasting
Nand Kumar Nair shifts into top gear as editor, automobile at TV9 Network to steer new vertical
MUMBAI: TV9 Network just added a turbocharger to its editorial engine—and his name is Nand Kumar Nair. The seasoned journalist and auto content whiz has taken the wheel as editor, automobile, bringing nearly two decades of motor revving, audience-grabbing experience to the news giant. With a résumé that’s zipped through Prasar Bharti, Dainik Jagran, and a global audience of 32 countries, Nair isn’t just stepping in—he’s rolling in with full headlights on.
This appointment signals TV9’s bold pivot into the fast lane of automotive content. And with Nair in the driver’s seat, it’s not going to be a Sunday cruise. He’s tasked with building a dedicated automobile vertical from the ground up—one that fuses branded content, white label IPs, and digital affinity programs into a media powerhouse that grips eyeballs and delivers advertiser mileage like never before.
“I am truly honoured to join TV9 Network and lead the creation of a dedicated automobile vertical. TV9 Network has long been a powerhouse of innovation and excellence in the media industry, and I am excited to contribute to its legacy. The automotive industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and this presents a tremendous opportunity to craft fresh, fascinating content that not only informs but captivates the audience. I look forward to working with a dynamic team to create impactful narratives that inform, inspire, and resonate with the audience across platforms,” Nair said, shifting into high enthusiasm.
TV9’s top brass is equally amped. “We are thrilled to have Nand Kumar Nair on board, bringing with him an extraordinary legacy of media innovation, leadership, and content excellence. His visionary approach and deep industry expertise will be instrumental in accelerating our growth, expanding our reach, and redefining content strategy. We look forward to his leadership in driving innovation and unlocking new opportunities as we get on this stimulating drive together,” said TV9 Network CGO Raktim Das.
CRO Amit Tripathi echoed the praise, calling Nair “a recognised media strategist and compelling on-air personality,” and lauding his flair for fusing storytelling with strategy. “Nair has an innate ability to fuse content excellence with business strategy. He has executed high-impact brand activations that delivered unparalleled return on investment,” Tripathi said.
Nair’s track record proves it. He led Jagran Hi-Tech to the top of India’s automotive and tech content food chain, built and managed a 62-person strong content squad, and turned Wion Pitstop into a globally consumed show that had car geeks glued across 32 countries. Let’s not forget he also masterminded large-scale stunts like the Tata Motors Endurance Challenge—because why just talk torque when you can live it?
At TV9, he will now build a content engine that doesn’t just test drives cars but test drives culture—bridging gearheads, green mobility fans, and advertisers looking to take the fast lane.
Finish line?
Create content that’s tuned to the engine of India’s auto-obsessed demographic and drives business results across TV and digital.a
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.
