News Broadcasting
News18 India tops Aaj Tak again with fact-first firepower during Operation Sindoor
MUMBAI: In a ratings war where credibility has become the real battleground, News18 India once again edged out arch-rival Aaj Tak, clinching the crown as the most-watched Hindi news channel during Operation Sindoor, as per Barc data. While the nation held its breath during the Pahalgam terror strike and the ensuing India-Pakistan standoff, viewers chose their go-to: the one that stuck to facts.
News18 India has now been perched at the top for three consecutive years, clocking an average of 78,179 AMA’000s, outperforming Aaj Tak’s 72,964. The data (Barc, AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 20’22-19’25 | 24 Hrs, All Days | HSM) reaffirms its sustained grip on Hindi news viewership.
The channel also led in cumulative reach with a towering 5,92,801 against Aaj Tak’s 5,77,077 during the same three-year stretch (Barc, Cume Reach 000s | TG: NCCS All 2+ | All India).
It wasn’t just consistency—it was timeliness. From the first shot fired in Pahalgam to the final word on the ceasefire, News18 India led the narrative. Between 22 April and 16 May 2025, it racked up 3,56,249 AMA’000s in comparison to Aaj Tak’s 3,43,934 (BARC, Gross AMA’000s | HSM).
During the same timeframe, News18 India’s cumulative reach surged to 2,03,774, while Aaj Tak trailed at 1,85,359 (BARC, Cume Reach’000s | HSM).
The decisive moment came during India’s DGMO press briefings. While most were fumbling facts, News18 India reported that Pakistan’s DGMO had reached out to discuss a ceasefire—before anyone else. On 11-12 May, the channel recorded 665 AMA’000s, nudging past Aaj Tak’s 650 (BARC, AMA’000s | HSM).
While many chased clicks, News18 India chased clarity. From real-time coverage to unfiltered analysis, it gave audiences what they needed—truth without the theatrics. That trust, built story by story, is now reflected in cold, hard numbers.
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.
