News Broadcasting
News18 Bangla overtakes ABP Ananda, asserts dominance in the West Bengal market
Mumbai: According to the recent Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data, News18 Bangla has showcased remarkable week-on-week growth in its market share, surpassing ABP Ananda in both cumulative reach and the market share during the 8 am-8 pm time slot. This consistent upward trajectory has firmly established News18 Bangla as the foremost leader in the West Bengal market.
Showing commanding growth for the past seven weeks, News18 Bangla garnered a higher market share, surpassing Republic Bangla, TV9, and Zee 24 Ghanta by 50.6 per cent, 71.8 per cent, and 188 per cent, respectively. (Source: BARC, Market Share, Week 5’24, All India, TG:15+) All Day
The channel saw an impressive cumulative reach and led by a significant margin of 27.8 per cent over ABP Ananda. (Source: BARC, Weekly Cume Reach’000, Week 4’24, All India, TG 15+) All Day
News18 Bangla also demonstrated leadership in market share between 8 am to 8 pm, reinforcing itself as the premier destination for news in West Bengal. News18 Bangla captured 26.2 per cent market share, leaving behind ABP Ananda at a market share of 24.2 per cent. (Source: BARC; West Bengal; All 15+; All Days, 08:00 – 20:00; Period: Week 5’24; Market Share per cent)
As part of News18 Bangla’s efforts to deliver the fastest, most authentic and relevant information, the channel has uplifted its programming with a renewed focus on highlighting local issues, while bringing the national perspective to the audiences. News18 Bangla’s exhaustive coverage across diverse geographies in West Bengal has played a pivotal role in its success story. It reflects the channel’s commitment to delivering serious, inclusive journalism that resonates with viewers nationwide.
News Broadcasting
Network18 posts Rs 1,955 crore revenue, narrows FY26 losses
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.
