News Broadcasting
NDTV to challenge SEBI order for late tax disclosure of Rs 450 crore
BENGALURU: New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) has informed the bourses today that it would proceed as advised in law against the penalty of Rs 25 lakh imposed upon it by Prasad Jagdale, the Adjudicating Officer at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), under Sections 23A and 23E of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, for its failure in timely disclosure as per clause 36 of the Listing Agreement, of a demand of Rs 450 crores by the income tax department in March 2014. The company contends that the relevant non-disclosure does not materially impact its present or future operations or profit or financials.
The Company approached the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) challenging the demand raised by the Assessing Officer. The Income Tax department , vide its orders dated March 26, 2014 and April 21, 2014, had granted an interim stay on payment of a sum of Rs. 5 crores, which is approximately 1.2 percent of the alleged tax demand. The challenge of the said claim made by NDTV is pending final determination before the ITAT and is currently sub-judice.
Click here to read the SEBI order and NDTV letter.
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.
