News Broadcasting
NDTV lines up special shows to cover elections
MUMBAI: NDTV Networks has lined up special programming to cover state elections. The shows will provide an insight into the relevant issues, gather views and relay the energy and enthusiasm associated with the upcoming elections in six states.
English news channel NDTV 24X7 will have shows like Campaign Trail, Follow the Leader, Battle Ground. Starting on 17 November at 7 pm on weekdays. Campaign Trail will combine live reports, citizens’ views and aims to get answers from the policy makers.
Follow the Leader, starting on 18 November, chases some of the biggest contenders in the political arena from sunrise to sunset on campaigning days. The show will telecast every Tuesday and Sunday at 9.30 pm.
In Battle Ground, Prannoy Roy and Dorab Sopariwala will discuss the real story of the elections – who is likely to win and become the next chief minister, what are the issues that will matter and all the news that citizens need to know. The show will air on 26, 28 Nov and 3 December at 9.30 pm.
Hindi news channel NDTV India will air Agla CM Kaun?, Youngtantra and Jawab Do. Agla CM Kaun? will take a trip to the places that will be affected by the new political scenario.
Vinod Dua takes on the politicians one-on-one and gets to the grassroots problems of the common man, in an effort to tell both sides of the story. Vinod Dua enables both, the politicians and the common man, to meet face-to-face and talk about the problems and solutions offered.
The show Youngtantra turns its attention towards the youth of our country and seeks to encapsulate the ideals of the young and the ambitious.
In Jawab Do, the current state Chief Minister is pitted against the potential CM and public in a fiery debate where he defends his performance in his current term.
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.
