News Broadcasting
NBF implores Barc India to resume TV ratings
Mumbai: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has once again written to Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) India seeking immediate resumption of TV ratings for news channels. The letter dated 28 January is addressed to the chairperson and members of the board of directors of Barc India.
The ratings for news channels were suspended in October 2020 and are yet to be resumed despite the I&B ministry’s directive.
Highlighting that its member news channels have been paying Barc subscriptions even during the blackout period of 16 months, the NBF implored Barc to release the news genre data by 3 February 2022 (Thursday). However, no data has been released till the filing of the report.
“We would like to bring to light how numerous advertisers, have publicly and individually, iterated the need for the return of ratings. In absence of ratings, the entire industry is suffering and faces a steeper challenge with every delay by Barc,” NBF stated.
The representative body also highlighted that in a sworn affidavit dated 17 August 2021, the Bombay high court had stated that the defendant (referring to Barc) will restore access to the weekly channel data as and when, and if, this is permitted by the government or the regulator. If on the other hand, the government permits the release of all weekly channel data, including for past periods, the defendant will supply that to the plaintiffs. “Now that the government has categorically called for the release of ratings, it is baffling and unfathomable why Barc is refusing to act,” wrote NBF.
The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) on 12 January 2021 had asked Barc to release news ratings with immediate effect and also release the last three months’ data. When queried by a journalist on Twitter, TRP committee chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati also stated, “I am hopeful that ratings for the news genre are resumed at the earliest. I see no reason for Barc India to further delay the matter.”
While the rating agency has decided to remain mum on the issue, several news reports have indicated that ratings will return only in March.
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.
