News Broadcasting
New cable ops association formed in the South
MUMBAI: Cable TV Operators Associations of South India have come together and formed the South Indian Federation of Cable TV Operators Association (Sifcoa).
The associations who have come together are – Tamizhaka Cable TV Operators General Welfare Association (TCOA), Karnataka Cable TV Chamber of Commerce, Pondicherry State Cable TV Owners Association, Andhra Pradesh Cable TV Operators Association and Cable TV Operators Association of Kerala (COA). One of the aims is to get all the trade protection and concessions for the industry from the central and state governments. In addition Sifcoa also wants representation in the Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India and other governing bodies regarding the cable industry
The organisation has also set itself the job of protecting the cable operators from unreasonable and sudden price hikes of pay channels and the MSO’s. It also wants to control the unhealthy competition that has been created by the pay channels and MSO’s. The organisation is also hoping to achieve uniformity in the rate of pay channels across the country. It wants the central government to recognise cable TV as a small scale industry (SSI) so that it can avail of all the benefits given to SSI units.
It also wants to bring to the government’s notice the fact that in the interest of the viewer the government should avoid imposing service tax, entertainment tax on cable television. This will in turn curtail the price hike. Sifcoa will have its first meeting next month in Chennai.
Meanwhile the fourth state conference of the Cable TV Operators Association of Kerala, at Ernakulam Town hall took place a few days ago. MP Dr. Sebastian Paul said that the easy access to technology prevented the dominance by anybody in the media world. He noted that the methods for local editions and niche transmissions are on the upswing. This causes broadcasting to be narrow casting Paul continued. He lamented the fact that the local cable TV operators of Kerala were a neglected lot and stressed that the association must take steps to obtain their rights from the governing bodies.
The function was presided over by Asianet ‘s managing editor KP Mohanan. The event was followed by the Mega Cable Fest 2004 a day tater. One of the highlights was a grand cultural procession. Nearly 4000 people from all the 14 districts of Kerala took part in the procession.
Cable operators from each district brought with them the unique cultural troupe from their hometown.
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.
