News Broadcasting
Network18 keeps the news rolling as revenues buck ad slowdown in Q3
MUMBAI: When the ad market blinked, Network18 refused to. The broadcaster posted a resilient third quarter, with operating revenue from its news business rising 5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 500 crore in Q3 FY26, even as the wider TV news industry grappled with a double-digit drop in advertising demand.
Compared with Rs 477 crore in Q2 FY26, revenues were up 4.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter, underscoring Network18’s ability to steady the ship in choppy macro waters. For the first nine months of the financial year, news business operating revenue stood at Rs 1,408 crore, up 2.4 per cent year-on-year, despite a high base created by election-linked advertising last year.
Operating expenses grew in step but remained tightly controlled, rising 5.1 per cent YoY to Rs 489 crore in Q3. This helped operating EBITDA climb to Rs 11.8 crore, a sharp 60.7 per cent jump over the previous quarter, with margins improving to 2.4 per cent from 1.5 per cent in Q2.
The performance came at a time when ad inventory demand for TV news declined by over 10 per cent YoY. Network18 limited the impact through better inventory utilisation, supported by its diversified portfolio across languages and platforms and its strong leadership positions.
Commenting on the quarter, Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said the group continued to defy industry trends despite a challenging macro environment, adding that government steps to boost consumption could eventually translate into higher advertising spends.
Beyond the balance sheet, the quarter saw strategic momentum. Network18 scaled up Creator18, its creator-led advertising vertical, to over 60 exclusive creators, with the top 10 delivering an unduplicated reach of more than 2 billion. Its first creator-driven TV show, Viral Baat Raunac Ke Saath, clocked over 3 million YouTube views.
Digital remained a strong growth lever. Moneycontrol doubled page views versus its nearest rival, crossed one million paid subscribers, and continued to build traction for its premium Super Pro offering. The network also renewed its partnership with CNN International for another 10 years, cementing its English news dominance.
On television, Network18 retained its crown as India’s number one news network, with viewership share rising 110 basis points YoY to 14.2 per cent. Across TV and digital, the group now reaches around 300 million users every month, while its 20-channel news portfolio connects with over 230 million TV viewers, roughly 45 per cent more than the nearest competitor.
In a year where advertising headwinds have tested the industry, Network18’s numbers suggest one thing clearly: the news may be tough, but the business of news is holding firm.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
