News Broadcasting
News18 Tamil Nadu presents Thoranam Aaiyiram, a festival of joy, culture and community in Puducherry
Mumbai: News18 Tamil Nadu is proud to present ‘Thoranam Aaiyiram – The Grand Carnival’, a flagship event that is set to captivate citizens and visitors in Puducherry. Designed to be a vibrant showcase of culture, entertainment, and community spirit, the event offers visitors a unique experience to come together for three unforgettable days of fun, learning, and shopping. The carnival will take place at Old Port Puducherry from 23 to 25 February 2024, starting daily at 3:00 PM, with the grand opening ceremony set for 23 February at 6:00 PM.
Thoranam Aaiyiram will feature an array of attractions tailored to suit every taste. The attendees can look forward to exploring an eclectic mix of shopping stalls, tantalizing food offerings, and engaging activities. From pottery workshops to baking demonstrations, the learning zone promises enriching experiences for all ages. It also includes a dedicated kids’ zone, along with live bands, concerts, and mesmerizing dance performances for the entertainment seekers. Additionally, attendees can participate in various games and activities and get a chance to win exciting prizes.
Distinguished guests set to grace the inauguration ceremony include Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Puducherry; Shri. N. Rangasamy, chief minister of Puducherry; and Shri. K. Lakshminarayanan, Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Govt of Puducherry.
The carnival is presented by Pondicherry Tourism, co-powered by Fybros Switches – Switch to Life, Satyabhama Institute of Science and Technology, Pondy Thanga Maaligai and Reliance, with a special partnership from Ponvandu Matic Liquid. The event is supported by associate sponsors Strong Aana Ply Sharonply, De’Shayra Skinz and Shri Venkateshwara Group of Institutions.
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.
