News Broadcasting
Q3-2015: Network18 reports improved results
BENGALURU: Network18 Media & Investments Limited (Network18) reported better results in Q3-2015 as compared to Q2-2015. Improved performances by its media operations, web and publishing operations helped buoy the company’s topline. Q2-2015 was a bad quarter overall for the media and entertainment (M&E) industry in India. Is the Ambani habit of reporting good results rubbing on to its newly-taken over companies – TV18 and Network18; minnows when compared to the giant that the Mukesh Ambani run Reliance Group of Industries is? Only time will tell.
Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakh = 10 million = 1 crore
The company reported 11.7 per cent growth in Income from Operations at Rs 839.1 crore in Q3-2015 from Rs 744.8 crore in Q2-2014 and 14.3 per cent more than the Rs 727.6 crore in Q3-2014. During 9M-2015, Network18 Income from Operations improved 16.9 per cent to Rs 2285.1 crore from Rs 1954.1 crore in 9M-2014.
Network18’s Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items (PBT) improved to Rs 22.4 crore in Q3-2015 from a loss of Rs 14.8 crore in Q2-2015 and 15.7 per cent more than the Rs 19.3 crore in Q3-2014. For 9M-2015, loss at Rs 36.4 per cent was lower than the loss of Rs 65.6 crore in 9M-2014.
Let us look at the other numbers reported by Network18:
The company’s operating profit (Profit before depreciation, interest and tax – PBDIT) in Q3-2015 at Rs 67.1 crore was almost quadruple (up 3.8 times) than the Rs 17.4 crore in Q2-2015 and 12.7 per cent higher than the Rs 59.5 crore reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. For 9M-2015, PBDIT at Rs 97.2 crore was 2.5 times the Rs 39 crore reported for 9M-2014.
Network18 reported 5.6 per cent higher Total Expense (TE) at Rs 788.5 crore in Q3-2015 versus the Rs 746.9 crore in Q2-2015 and 14.7 per cent more than the Rs 687.6 crore in Q3-2014. In 9M-2015, the company’s TE at Rs 2268.9 crore was 15.2 per cent more than the Rs 1969.5 crore in 9M-2015.
Programming cost in Q3-2015 at Rs 202.1 crore was 13 per cent more than the Rs 178.8 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 30.8 per cent more than the Rs 154.5 crore in Q3-2014. In 9M-2015, programming cost at Rs 546.5 crore was 37.8 per cent more than the Rs 396.5 crore in 9M-2014.
Network18’s distribution, advertising and business (DAB) expense in Q3-2015 at Rs 214 crore was 3 per cent lower than the Rs 220.7 crore in Q2-2015 and 3.3 per cent less than the Rs 221.3 crore in Q3-2014. In 9M-2014, the company reported 5.2 per cent lower DAB expense at Rs 626.6 crore versus the Rs 660.7 crore in 9M-2014.
Depreciation and amortisation cost (depreciation) in Q3-2015 at Rs 23.8 crore was 22.7 per cent lower than the Rs 19.4 crore in Q2-2015 and 22 per cent less than the Rs 19.5 crore in Q3-2014. Depreciation in 9M-2015 at Rs 80.9 crore was 48.7 per cent more than the Rs 54.4 crore in 9M-2014.
Network18 says that its digital content operations – moneycontrol.com, Ibnlive.com, Firstpost.com and News18.com and its digital commerce operations bookmyshow.com and Homeshop 18 performed well in the current quarter with a monthly average reach of approximately 25 million visitors for first two months in this quarter.
Its television business also performed well. The company said that its business news operations (CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC Bajar and CNBC-TV18 Prime HD) sustained their leadership position in the genre. CNBC Bajar showed accelerated growth in viewership with a 182 per cent increase in Q3-2015 over Q2-2015. CNN-IBN stood at No.2 position in the English General News category in Q3-2015 with a market share of 25 per cent. In the entertainment segment, Colors was the No.1 channel on weekend prime time with a market share of 28.3 per cent in Q3-2015. History TV18 ended the year 2014 with No.1 position in December 2014 with a market share of 25 per cent in 6 Metros and garnered the maximum time spent per viewer at 178 minutes in 6 Metros and 132 minutes in all India. The company’s regional news and entertainment group of channels under the ETV umbrella also performed well.
News Broadcasting
Brand Bengal Takes a Bow as Enterprise Steals the Show
TV9 Bangla honours 30 plus changemakers in four episode celebration.
MUMBAI: In a state famed for poetry and politics, business took centre stage. And this time, the applause was for balance sheets as much as ballads. Organised by TV9 Bangla, Brands of Bengal Season IV unfolded as an immersive awards showcase recognising some of the region’s most promising and impactful enterprises. Spanning sectors from real estate and education to pharmaceuticals, healthcare, hospitality and technology, the initiative cast a spotlight on organisations shaping what many still fondly call the City of Joy.
The celebration will reach viewers in four televised episodes, with the first two airing on 14 and 15 February, followed by the remaining two on 21 and 22 February, each between 11.30 am and 12 pm.
Beyond trophies and titles, the core idea was sharper: ignite entrepreneurship in a state often perceived as cautious about risk. Brands of Bengal aims to nudge the next generation towards business by chronicling journeys marked by hardship, resilience and reinvention. The narrative is less about overnight success and more about grit, determination and long term commitment that define Bengal’s evolving economic story.
TV9 Network chief operating officer for national and International K Vikram described the initiative as both recognition and reminder. He noted that undivided Bengal was once the industrial hub of British India, before socio economic shifts altered its trajectory. Today, he said, the state’s institutions are demonstrating resilience, creativity and global ambition, and the awards seek to honour organisations that combine commercial success with meaningful social contribution.
The winners list reads like a cross section of Bengal’s entrepreneurial spectrum. From Utpalaa The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia for excellence in landmark residential projects, to IEM UEM Group for excellence in education and placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited was recognised for excellence in genomic diagnostics in Eastern India, while Taste and Byte earned acclaim for customer delight in the cake shop chain category.
Healthcare and education featured prominently, with honours for Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital for transforming rural healthcare, ASMII Save The Sight Foundation for advanced eye care, Vivekananda Hospital for trauma and critical care, and International Institute of Nursing and Research for nursing education. Institutions such as Adamas University, JDS Public School and Elitte College of Engineering were recognised for academic excellence.
The awards also acknowledged innovation in technology and services. Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited was named among the most promising technology brands nationally and internationally, Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt Ltd was recognised for digital brand building strategy, while Samata Co operative Development Bank Ltd was honoured for co operative banking services empowered by digital innovation.
TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal recognises the following brands under multiple categories as listed below:
Client Category Utpalaa~The Condoville by Ambuja Neotia Excellence in Landmark Residential project of the region IEM-UEM Group IEM – UEM GROUP – Multi-Campus University- – BRANDS OF BENGAL for Excellence in Education & Placement. Suraksha Diagnostic Limited Excellence in Genomic Diagnostics – Eastern India Taste & Byte Excellence in Customer Delight – Cake Shop Chain (Bengal) Adamas University Excellence in Academics and placements Aditya Group Excellence in Eastern India Impact Leadership M L Support Excellence in Health Care Service JDS Public School Excellence in Holistic Education ELITTE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Excellence in Engineering Teaching Adamas Tech Consulting Private Limited Excellence and most promising Technology Brand in nationally and internationally Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor Excellence in Outstanding Bengali Culinary Heritage M/S MOHD SHAHNAWAZ KHAN(Transport and Logistic Services) Excellence in Road Transport International Institute of Nursing & Research Excellence in Nursing Education & Research Mitra Caf? Excellence in Bengali & Multi cuisine restaurant Novesta Group Excellence in Bungalow Project Development – Bengal Santiniketan Medical College & Hospital Excellence in Transforming Rural Health Care System Introlink Excellence in Kitchen and Furniture Technology Samata Co operative Development bank Ltd Excellence in Co-Operative Banking Services Empowered by Digital Innovation ASMII SAVE THE SIGHT FOUNDATION Excellence in Advanced & trusted Eye Care Vivekananda Hospital Excellence in Trauma & Critical Care Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory (Bonded) Excellence in Quality Assurance in Homeopathic Medicines PICE Educare Private Limited Excellence in medical education consultant (India & abroad),2025 Swarnabha Industries Excellence in Plastic Multiple Product Manufacturing Business Bharati Diagnostic Centre Excellence in Diagnostic Services Surobharati Sangeet Kala Kendra Excellence in Cultural Education for Children & Youth Techwala K3 Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Excellence in Digital Brand Building Strategy Maharaja Caterer Excellence in Catering Services in Kolkata Banabithi Resort Excellence in Eco Resort Hospitality
From Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor and Mitra Cafe celebrating Bengali culinary heritage, to Banabithi Resort in eco hospitality, Maharaja Caterer in catering services and Swarnabha Industries in plastic product manufacturing, the spectrum reflected Bengal’s diverse enterprise fabric. Organisations such as M L Support, Bharati Diagnostic Centre, Purusottam Homeo Bikash Laboratory and PICE Educare Private Limited also featured among the honourees.
The evening concluded with a high energy gala night that blended business with Bengal’s cinematic flair. Tollywood actors Abir Chatterjee and Monami Ghosh were in attendance, while the finale saw the presence of leading names including Padma Shri awardee Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Jishu Sengupta and filmmaker Srijit Mukherjee.
If literature once defined Bengal’s identity and cinema shaped its imagination, Brands of Bengal suggests enterprise is scripting its next chapter. And this time, the spotlight is firmly on those building it.
