News Broadcasting
NDTV accelerates growth spending as revenue climbs in transformation push
NEW DELHI: NDTV is pressing the accelerator on its transformation strategy, ramping up investment in marketing and expansion even as revenue growth gains momentum. The Adani-controlled broadcaster posted a 12 per cent increase in half-year revenue to Rs 230 crore whilst completing a Rs 396 crore oversubscribed rights issue and merging four subsidiaries to streamline operations.
Revenue from operations rose 10 per cent year-on-year to Rs 123 crore in the September quarter on a consolidated basis, reflecting improving traction as the company positions itself for a new era. For the six months ended September, the top line climbed to Rs 230 crore from Rs 205 crore, signalling steady progress in a fiercely competitive media landscape.
The numbers reveal a company making bold strategic bets. Marketing, distribution and promotional expenses surged 33 per cent to Rs 115 crore for the half-year—a clear signal that management is prioritising audience acquisition and brand visibility over short-term profitability. The September quarter alone saw Rs 58 crore deployed towards growth initiatives, up 29 per cent year-on-year.
“This is classic growth investing,” said one analyst who tracks the media sector. “NDTV is leveraging its capital raise to build market share and strengthen its competitive position whilst the fundamentals improve.”
The rights issue, completed on 9 October, was oversubscribed 1.11 times, with proceeds specifically earmarked for expansion, brand-building, debt reduction and corporate purposes. The successful raise increased paid-up capital from Rs 26 crore to Rs 45 crore, providing ammunition for the company’s ambitious reinvention plans.
NDTV also executed a major structural overhaul, merging NDTV Networks, NDTV Worldwide, NDTV Media and NDTV Labs into the parent company with effect from 1 October. The consolidation, sanctioned by the regional director of the ministry of corporate affairs, is designed to eliminate operational silos and create a more agile organisation. Authorised share capital now stands at Rs 237 crore.
The broadcaster is simultaneously pursuing inorganic growth. NDTV has entered a binding term sheet to acquire the GoodTimes channel and associated intellectual property from Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting, pending regulatory approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The deal would expand the company’s content portfolio and distribution footprint.
Management changes underscore the focus on operational excellence. Akhil Kumar Gupta, a chartered accountant with 19 years’ experience spanning media, infrastructure, healthcare and entertainment, will assume the chief financial officer role from 1 December. Gupta, who previously held senior positions at Adani Enterprises, Zydus Lifesciences and Bharti Airtel, brings deep expertise in financial transformation, digital systems and strategic decision-making. He replaces Anup Dutta, who reaches superannuation.
The board also re-appointed independent director Viral Jagdish Doshi for a second three-year term beginning January 2026, ensuring continuity in governance as the company navigates its transition.
NDTV’s investment phase reflects a calculated gamble: sacrifice near-term margins to capture long-term market share in India’s rapidly evolving media ecosystem. With a freshly capitalised balance sheet, a streamlined corporate structure, and aggressive growth spending, the broadcaster is positioning itself as a serious player in the battle for eyeballs and advertising rupees.
Whether the strategy succeeds depends on execution—and whether revenue growth can eventually outpace the current marketing blitz. But for now, NDTV is signalling it has both the resources and the resolve to compete. The transformation is underway, and the company isn’t holding back.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
