News Broadcasting
Network18 to hold ‘The India – China Dialogues’ in Beijing
MUMBAI: In the lead up to PM Narendra Modi’s visit to China, Network 18 has launched ‘The India – China Dialogues,’ which is an initiative that aims to mirror the emerging dynamism in bilateral policy making and reflect on the areas of mutual cooperation between India and China.
The full day conclave will be hosted on 12 May, 2015 at Park Hyatt, Beijing and broadcast across the leading Network18 channels including CNN-IBN and IBN7.
The second such initiative in a series of ‘Dialogues’ after the India-US Dialogues organised on the eve of President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January this year, the India – China Dialogues endeavours to build a critical mass – both intellectual and proper to propel this vital relationship to the next level.
With Modi’s maiden journey to Beijing, this year will see the recalibration and cementing of bilateral ties between Asia’s two leading economies – India and China. Modi’s trip is all set to be a potentially defining one, which could transform ties between the two Asian neighbours and create new opportunities for their people.
The India – China Dialogues will see distinguished dignitaries from both sides examining key areas that are pivotal in this partnership. Topics ranging from trade and investment, technology cooperation and the business prospects with Make in India, will be discussed. The expert panel will also explore the synergies for growth in the areas of tourism, healthcare and education, people to people relations.
IBN Network CEO Avinash Kaul said, “As Asia’s leading economies come together, we are looking forward to solution led discussions that will help the two nations to further cultivate their relations and script new pathways of progress for all. I’m sure that the India-China Dialogues will serve as a beneficial platform to examine key areas that will shape the relationship between the two countries and ideate out-of-the-box solutions for the two governments.”
Network 18 group president – news Umesh Upadhyay added, “We at Network18 take immense pride in announcing The India – China Dialogues after the huge success of The India-US Dialogues. Marking the prestigious occasion of our Prime Ministers visit to China, this conclave aims to give our viewers an in-depth analysis of the relationship between India and China and set the tone for PM Modi’s visit.”
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.
