News Broadcasting
News Corp reports $162 million net for Sept. quarter
MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp yesterday reported first quarter consolidated revenues of $3.8 billion (1 July to 30 June financial), a 12% increase over the $3.4 billion in the prior year and consolidated operating income of $548 million, up 51 per cent over the $362 million a year ago.
The year-on-year growth was driven primarily by substantial increases in the television and cable network programming segments, a company statement says. Net profit for the fiscal first quarter was $162 million, an increase of $89 million over the $73 million reported in the prior year. Net profit before other items was $162 million compared to $83 million reported in the first quarter a year ago. This is important because such “special charges” ($10 million last year) have reduced earnings in many of the company’s previous periods.
With the events of 11 September 2001 well behind it, News Corp’s US TV operations posted much stronger earnings, fueled by a resurgence in advertising and subscriber gains.
News Corp’s television segment reported first quarter operating income of $188 million, up $136 million versus the same period a year ago, reflecting an 81 per cent profit increase at the Fox Television Stations and an 82 per cent improvement at the Fox Broadcasting Company, the statement says.
At the Fox Broadcasting Company, prime-time ratings in the US were up 13 per cent over the prior year among adults 18-49, driven by the record-breaking performance of American Idol (expected in India early next year), which was the summer’s top-rated series on any network.
In Asia, Star’s operating results continue to improve, with losses declining 27 per cent compared to last year. The gains were fueled by 15 per cent revenue growth primarily from subscription and advertising revenue increases, and mainly on the back of the exemplary performance by the jewel in News Corp’s Asian crown – Star Plus in India. Industry reports say as much as 80 per cent of Star’s income in Asia is being generated out of India.
Star’s revenue gains were partially offset by costs associated with developing new platforms (DTH and FM radio in operations in India among them) and expanding existing channels as Star continues to drive distribution and ratings across the region.
The overall gains were achieved despite lower operating income at the company’s Fox movie studio and its newspapers in the UK. The company’s magazine division posted a modest gain in operating income, mostly due to its coupon business, as did its HarperCollins book publishing unit.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
