News Broadcasting
NewsX hosts Vision 4G LTE Telecom Conclave
MUMBAI: In a first of its kind initiative, NewsX hosted ‘Vision 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) Telecom Conclave’ a platform that brought together, Government bodies and industrialists from public and private sectors to explore and discuss ideas and strategies to implement 4G LTE in India for the growth of telecom sector and Indian economy.
Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad delivered the keynote address, which was followed by his interview, CEO Sessions and presentations by industry experts. The engaging panel discussions covered a range of topics such as leveraging 4G LTE to drive in robust business models; meeting challenges in implementing 4G in India etc.
Speaking on the Vision 4G LTE an initiative by NewsX, Prasad said, “We recognise the vision of 4G and the worth of LTE technology and believe that it is going to be the next revolution in the telecom sector with a great potential for Indian economic growth. The Government of India has come up with a lot of initiative like Digital Literacy program, introduced the concept of digital locker and electronic manufacturing is also on our priority. We want to work in a manner keeping consumer satisfaction and the growth of telecom sector in mind. We will ensure that the end user is benefitted and also facilitate all that is required in terms of policy initiative from the Government of India in a fair and transparent manner.”
iTV Network managing director Kartikeya Sharma added, “In last few years, Indian telecom industry has shown overwhelming growth due to domestic demand, policy initiatives undertaken by the government and admirable efforts by the key players of the industry. Through this initiative this is our endeavour to bring all the stakeholders on the same platform and set a roadmap for the implementation of 4G LTE in expediting the growth momentum and modernisation of telecom sector as well as transforming the nation’s economy.”
iTV Network chief marketing officer Savvy Dilip said, “This is a pioneering initiative by NewsX that will pave the way for the future of telecommunications. This path-breaking initiative will help all the stakeholders work towards a common agenda and our channels will provide ample support to leverage this further.”
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.
