News Broadcasting
Newsroom shake-up as Anil Uniyal exits NDTV after two eventful years
MUMBAI: After steering the ship through a crucial phase, Anil Uniyal has stepped down as chief operating Officer of NDTV, wrapping up a two-year tenure that saw him deeply involved in shaping the channel’s post-acquisition identity and relaunching NDTV Profit. Uniyal’s resignation, as reported by multiple media outlets, closes another chapter in a career that’s been synonymous with leadership in Indian business newsrooms from Network18 to Quint and now NDTV. His departure adds another twist to NDTV’s evolving story under the Adani Media Group umbrella.
During his stint at NDTV, Uniyal was known to have worked closely with Sanjay Pugalia and played a key role in stabilising the broadcaster’s business operations. He also had a hand in reviving NDTV Profit, the business news channel that absorbed operations from the now-defunct BloombergQuint.
Speaking to Indian Television Dot Com Uniyal said he is yet to decide his next move on the professional front.
Before joining NDTV in 2022, Uniyal served as CEO at Bloombergquint, where he helped position the venture as a significant digital destination for financial and business news. That journey began in 2016, after Bloomberg’s tie-up with Quintillion Media, and culminated in the platform’s eventual acquisition and integration into the NDTV family.
His earlier stint at Network18 between 2011 and 2016 was equally prolific, where he held leadership roles across CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC Bajar, and Forbes India. As COO, he was instrumental in driving the group’s business news portfolio forward.
While Uniyal’s next move remains under wraps, industry watchers are keenly eyeing where he lands next. One thing is certain: wherever he goes, he’s sure to bring newsroom know-how and sharp operational chops with him.
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.
