News Broadcasting
News9 becomes the arena for live football
MUMBAI: In a moment as unpredictable as a last-minute goal, News9 shattered the conventional boundaries of news broadcasting by stepping onto the turf of live sports. On 4 December, the channel made history as the first Indian news network to air a professional football match, delivering Bayer Leverkusen’s nail-biting 1-0 triumph over Bayern Munich in the German Cup directly from the iconic Allianz Arena. A gamble so audacious it bordered on bizarre, this bold move rewrote the rules of news broadcasting—proving, as they say, that sometimes the wildest ideas yield the greatest victories.
The live broadcast showcased News9’s commitment to redefining news content by integrating sports and entertainment, captivating a broader audience. The match, rich in drama, featured Bayer Leverkusen’s resilience against the might of Bayern Munich, led by a game-changing header from substitute Nathan Tella in the 69 minute. Bayern Munich, reduced to 10 men after Manuel Neuer’s red card in the 17 minute, failed to break through despite standout performances by Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka.
“This is a historic moment not just for News9 but for Indian news media as a whole,” said TV9 Network, MD & CEO, Barun Das. “Bringing live football action to a news platform demonstrates our commitment to evolving news content to meet the diverse interests of our audience. This marks the beginning of a new era in engaging and relevant broadcasting.”
News9 complemented its live telecast with in-depth pre- and post-match analysis, featuring insights from seasoned football experts. The channel also offered a concise recap for viewers, highlighting Bayer Leverkusen’s determination and Bayern Munich’s first defeat of the season in league and cup matches.
News9’s foray into live sports broadcasting signals a bold step forward in blending news with entertainment. This initiative underscores the channel’s innovative approach to broadening its audience base while maintaining its commitment to quality journalism.
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.
