News Broadcasting
News18 SheShakti 2024 honours women leaders driving India’s transformation
Mumbai: The 2024 edition of News18 SheShakti Summit celebrated the achievements of women leaders who broke barriers, pursued excellence, and elevated India’s stature globally. Held in New Delhi, the summit featured visionary women leaders, policymakers, and changemakers, including Jagdeep Dhankhar, VP of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, and Justice Indu Malhotra, Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Among the distinguished speakers were Kirron Kher (Actor & Former MP), Bhumi Pednekar (Actor), Padma Bhushan Usha Uthup (Singer), Nigar Shaji (Project Director for ISRO’s Aditya mission), and Lakshmi M Puri (Former UN Assistant Secretary-General & Ambassador of India), who shared their inspiring stories alongside other influential women leaders.
In a special address, President of India, Droupadi Murmu emphasised the importance of women’s empowerment, safety, and struggles. She said, “Women are, in fact, the true manifestation of power. The real strength of our nation lies in the empowerment of women. Our women have always demonstrated resilience, strength, and courage, moving forward despite all obstacles.”
Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, addressed the audience by highlighting issues facing women today and the broader societal need for equal opportunities and dignity. He remarked, “But stringent laws alone do not make for a just society. Above all we need to change our mindset,”
VP of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, delivered a poignant speech, saying, “There must be evolution of mechanism, which includes for women…. Some people have the audacity to call women weaker sex. They are terribly wrong. What happened over the ages has to change. Democracy is made for those who are vulnerable, challenged and those who need handholding. You need to access opportunities and have full control over your life.”
The event concluded with an enthralling performance by Padma Bhushan Usha Uthup.
Network18 (Broadcast) CEO & Managing Director A+E Networks ITV18, Avinash Kaul said, “News18 SheShakti 2024 is our tribute to women who have turned their dreams into reality through passion, grit, and resilience. With this year’s edition, we raised the bar by bringing leaders who are shaping India’s global narrative, highlighting the critical role of women’s equal representation in nation building. We put a spotlight on their extraordinary contributions across fields like science, policy, defence, education, business, arts and more to create relevant conversations that inspire the younger generation.”
Network18, CEO digital & president, corporate strategy, Puneet Singhvi added, “By featuring extraordinary women leaders from several sectors, we’ve not only celebrated their achievements but also demonstrated how diverse perspectives fuel innovation and progress. Our goal is to inspire action and create pathways for more women to drive change and lead with vision.”
News18 SheShakti 2024 paid tribute to women’s leadership, celebrating their contributions across science, policy, defence, education, and more, while underscoring the importance of gender diversity in building a stronger, more resilient India.
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.
