News Broadcasting
NGC commissions ‘Seconds From Disaster’ for third time
MUMBAI: Following the success of the first two series of Seconds From Disaster National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and National Geographic Channel (NGC) have commissioned Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) to produce a third series of the show.
Each of the 13 one hour shows have been filmed in high definition and investigates some of the world’s most infamous disasters.
The show will use CGI and dramatic reconstructions to recreate the fateful moments that led to each catastrophe. Eyewitness testimony from survivors coupled with visuals and scientific analysis heightens the emotional impact of this series, filmed in locations around Europe and the US.
The show will explore events including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. That saw over 1500 people perish. The fateful journey of Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1982 killing 78 people. It also looks at the 1972 Olympic massacre in Munich resulting in the deaths of 11 athletes and one German police officer at the hands of international terrorists; and the devastation of the recent Asian Tsunami which claimed the lives of more than 230,000 people.
Darlow Smithson head of factual Tom Brisley says, “The first two series were highly successful for DSP, NGC and NGCI, and we are delighted that it has become such a strong returning brand. Each series has brought to life disasters with gritty realism through the use of cutting edge CGI effects and reconstructions.
“In the third series particularly, we’ve been able to secure exceptional access to survivors who have been unwilling to talk in the past. In true DSP style, we’ve approached this third series with greater ambition, covering bigger and more complex events than ever before”.
NGCI executive VP content Sydney Suissa says, “Right from its first broadcast, Seconds from Disaster established itself as one of our signature series. The production values combined with powerful storytelling and impeccable research make the series compelling week in and out. I am delighted that we can offer our viewers a third season”.
NGC US executive VP John Ford says, “Viewers have enthusiastically embraced this series because it gives them the opportunity to understand disasters from a scientific point of view, leading to new insights into how these tragic events occurred in the first place. To know exactly what happened, and to see it through the magic of CGI, is a stunning new technique.”
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.
