News Broadcasting
Nick Robinson is BBC’s political editor
MUMBAI: Nick Robinson will succeed Andrew Marr as the BBC’s political editor. Robinson returns to the BBC after three years at ITN where he is currently political editor. Previously, at the BBC, Nick was the chief political correspondent for BBC News 24, a former deputy editor of Panorama and presenter on BBC Radio Five Live.
His role will involve providing authoritative political journalism across the BBC’s television, radio and online output, placing political events and the workings of Parliament and the devolved institutions into context.
He will be responsible for serving BBC News’ flagship programmes, including Today on BBC Radio 4 and BBC One’s Ten O’Clock News. In addition to reacting to events, the role also advises programmes across the BBC in terms of suggested coverage and stories, and the portrayal of political events. The aim is to help ensure a full diversity of voices.
BBC deputy DG Mark Byford said, “I’m delighted Nick Robinson is returning to the BBC. Nick’s passion, energy, insight and political knowledge are matched by his outstanding communication skills and deep commitment to fairness and impartiality. Nick is the right person to succeed Andrew Marr after Andrew’s brilliant period as political editor.”
Robinson said: “I’ve relished trying to give Andy Marr a run for his money over the past couple of years. I am excited and daunted in equal measure at the prospect of now trying to fill his rather ample shoes. The job of BBC political editor is to bring drama, insight and analysis to a subject too many say they dislike but most know they simply cannot ignore. I can’t wait.”
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.
