News Broadcasting
NGC Intl commissions ITN Factual for terrorism mini-series
MUMBAI: National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has commissioned a three-hour mini-series with UK documentary producer ITN Factual. The series, titled Reign of Terror, examines the complex nature of modern terrorism and marks the first collaboration between NGCI and ITN Factual
NGCI executive VP content Sydney Suissa says, “Unquestionably, global terrorism is the most important story of our times. What we want to do in this series is chart that evolution, connect the dots globally, and make sense for our viewers of what are senseless acts”.
Based on recent events, and using ITN’s journalistic pedigree, the series will also explore the policies and strategies being developed to combat global terror in the 21st century.
ITN Factual head Phillip Dampier comments, “In Reign of Terror, ITN Factual has drawn on its journalistic expertise to explore the world of global terrorism down to its most personal and forensic levels. The narrative of each episode focuses on individual acts of terrorism and tells the story from the perspective of people on the inside. It is a very contemporary take on this global phenomena that affects us and the technology and psychology that drives it. The challenge for this series was complement to cutting edge content with a visual style and storytelling technique to match.”
Reign of Terror will air next year. It will be distributed by National Geographic Television International at the television event Mipcom next month.
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.
