News Broadcasting
NDTV’s news biz posts net profit in Q3
MUMBAI: Dr Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd’s television news channel business has posted a net profit of Rs 29.8 million for the quarter ended 31 December. This is against a standalone net loss of Rs 16.5 million the company had posted during the year-ago period.
The turnaoround into net profit is, however, without taking into account the merger of different subsidiaries into the company effective 1 April.
With the merged subsidiaries, the company has suffered a net loss of Rs 170.8 million.
NDTV said that in accordance with the scheme, it has given effect to the relevant accounting entries and the financial reorganisation and adjusted the debit balance of profit and loss account amounting to Rs 761.7 million against specified reserves.
“Accordingly, the standalone results for the quarter include the results of operations of the transferor companies and hence are not comparable with the corresponding previous period,” the company said.
NDTV, which operates news channels NDTV 24X7 (English), NDTV India (Hindi) and NDTV Profit (English business), saw a marginal increase in the income from operations (6.61 per cent) to Rs 964.8 million as against Rs 905 million a year ago.
Expenses stayed flat at 902.7 million (from Rs 903.7 million year ago).
The company posted a profit from operations (before other income, interest & exceptional items) of Rs 111.9 million, as against profit of Rs 28.1 million during the year ago period.
On a consolidated basis, NDTV has posted a net loss of Rs 148.4 million, as against a profit of Rs 741.1 million in the year-ago period.
However, it clarified that the consolidated results for the quarter ended 31 December 2009 include the results of operations of Turner General Entertainment Networks India (formerly NDTV Imagine) and its subsidiaries in which NDTV had diluted its holding to a minority stake on 23 February 2010. The consolidated result for the quarter, thus, is not comparable with the corresponding previous period.
Operating loss of the company narrowed to Rs 72.8 million from Rs 525.7 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. (NDTV had gained Rs 1.28 billion on the buyback amount which got reflected in the other income).
Income from operations stood at Rs 1.14 billion, down from Rs 1.67 billion a year ago. Expenses during the quarter were Rs 1.22 billion, down from Rs 2.22 billion.
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.
