News Broadcasting
NDTV’s Election Carnival traverses 11,000 Kilometres, across 50 cities, featuring 14 anchors
Mumbai: NDTV’s Election Carnival, a vibrant celebration of democratic enthusiasm and civic engagement, is on an extraordinary journey across India, captivating hearts and minds as it travels. Originally planned to cover 5000 kilometres, the Carnival’s overwhelming reception has led to an extended route to over 9,000 kilometres, now expanding further to 11,000 Kilometers and reaching more than 50 cities non-stop since 30 days.
In line with NDTV’s commitment to fostering informed citizenship, the Carnival has become a catalyst for change, igniting passions and inspiring action in every city it visits. It aims to promote lively discussions with political faces from that area, interactive sessions, and folk artist performances, inspiring local communities and motivating them to take an active role in the democratic process.
The Carnival kicked off its journey from the heart of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi celebrating the diverse regional cultures of India.
Travelling through various states including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, the Carnival has provided invaluable insights into the political landscapes and electoral dynamics of each region.
In Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, the Carnival delved into the intense political competition between SP-BSP and BJP, highlighting the journey of BJP’s candidate, Arun Govil. Moving on to Mathura, the Carnival engaged with Hema Malini’s campaign, addressing local concerns such as environmental pollution.
In Bharatpur, the Carnival witnessed a fierce electoral contest between BJP’s Ramswarup Koli and Congress’ Sanjana Jatav, focusing on critical issues like education and healthcare.
Traversing to Madhya Pradesh, NDTV’s editor-in-chief, Sanjay Pugalia, had an exclusive conversation with Madhya Pradesh chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav during the Carnival’s stop in Bhopal, where Dr Yadav emphasised the need to diversify sectors beyond farming to boost farmers’ income. Followed by discussions in Ujjain shedding light on the electoral atmosphere and pressing local issues along with insights into employment, water, and infrastructure concerns in Khandwa.
In Gujarat, Anand became a focal point for dissecting the dynamics between BJP and Congress, while in Maharashtra, the Carnival amplified the electoral fervour in Baramati, addressing issues like water scarcity and unemployment.
The Carnival also journeyed through states like Jharkhand, exploring industrial concerns in Jamshedpur and electoral trust in Surguja.
Each stop of the Carnival enriched the national political discourse by providing unique insights into local issues, electoral dynamics, and voter sentiments, reaffirming NDTV’s commitment to facilitating meaningful dialogue and strengthening the democratic fabric of India.
NDTV’s Election Carnival is not just a journey; it’s a movement toward a more informed, involved, and participative democracy – India’s awakening movement. As it continues its odyssey across India, the Carnival reaffirms its commitment to being the voice of the people, bringing them closer to their leaders and the essence of democracy itself.
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.
