News Broadcasting
NDTV India close on Aaj Tak’s heels
MUMBAI: The leader is being given a run for its money. With the 14th general elections already underway, news channels have reached the last lap in the race to be first among rivals for those crucial eyeballs. Hindi news channel leader Aaj Tak already has Prannoy Roy’s NDTV India snapping at its heels.
According to Tam data for the period 22 February to 20 March, NDTV India’s reach was 58.8 per cent as compared to Aaj Tak’s 62.1 per cent. However, surprisingly, when the reach of all Hindi news channels collectively took a dive in the period 21 March to 10 April, NDTV India’s reach at 57 per cent overtook Aaj Tak by 0.11 per cent in the 15+ C&S Hindi speaking market.
However, on the channel share front, Aaj Tak continues to rule the roost. While Aaj Tak stood tall with 33.3 per cent channel share for the period 22 February to 20 March, NDTV India was holding its ground with 18.2 per cent in the 15+ C&S Hindi speaking market. Interestingly, from the period 21 March to 10 April, while NDTV India’s channel share rose to 19 per cent, Aaj Tak’s dropped to 31.4 per cent. With almost 19 per cent channel share within Hindi News genre among 15+ C&S homes, NDTV India has clinched a clear number two slot within less than a year of its launch.
On the other hand, Star News’ channel share picked up from 16 per cent (22 February to 20 March) to 16.5 per cent (21 March to 10 April). Zee News and DD News’ share too increased from 12.6 per cent to 12.7 per cent and 10.6 per cent to 10.7 per cent respectively in the above-said period. Sahara Samay too had reasons to cheer as its share rose from 9.2 per cent to 9.8 per cent.
For NDTV India, the evening prime time seems to be the key as the channel garnered more than 20 per cent channel share of this slot within Hindi news genre among15+ in C&S homes for the period 21 March to 10 April.
Though it will take some time to match the towering heights that Aaj Tak has reached, the rise of NDTV India is commendable.
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.
