News Broadcasting
News18 India launches in the US
MUMBAI: Three months after the distribution JV between TV18 and Viacom18 called IndiaCast announced that its news brand called News 18 is going to be distributed internationally very soon, TV18 has now entered the US market with the launch of News18 India. The 24 hours television news channel is designed to give global audiences a window into India. The channel went live on 30 July on Dishworld and Dish Network Channel 711.
It can be noted that News18 India is already present in key south Asian diaspora markets that include the UK, Singapore and the Middle East (the latter two were added only recently).
News18 India will be available to all viewers on the international base pack, English News pack and Hindi Mega pack, making this one of the most widely distributed Indian News channels in the US.
News 18 provides all types of news from India including political and business as well as weather reports. The same team that produces news for the existing news channels in the IndiaCast portfolio such as CNN-IBN, CNBC TV-18, IBN7 produce news for News 18.
News18 India is a unique news channel offering a dynamic and customised blend of business and general news programming at times that suit the US audience ensuring greater relevance for the viewers in the region.
In addition to News18 India, IndiaCast distributes the flagship general entertainment channel Colors, other channels such as Rishtey, MTV India International and 6 ETV branded services in overseas markets.
IBN News Networks CEO Avinash Kaul said, “It gives me immense pleasure to expand our global footprint and to take the best of Indian News to every household outside of India. News18 India is a destination for definitive news for the Indian diaspora, a community of high achievers seeking Indian news and for ethnic conglomerates with business interests in India. At a time when the world is watching India, News18 India will serve as the world’s window into India.”
“After UK, Singapore and the Middle East, News18 India now launches in the US. We are confident that News18 India, with a customised offering for the US market, will fill the void of a comprehensive business and general news service from India. This would be our seventh channel on the Dish network and with them we found a perfect partner to bring this channel to all viewers who want a window into India,” added India Cast group COO Gaurav Gandhi.
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.
