News Broadcasting
Radio losses drag down TV Today net
MUMBAI: TV Today Network has seen an 8.69 per cent dip in its net profit for FY10. The company posted a net profit of Rs 308.67 million, lower than last fiscal’s Rs 335.5 million.
The income from operations at Rs 2.85 billion is up 13.83 per cent from FY09 when it stood at Rs 2.5 billion.
As far as the expenses for the firm go, its overall expenditure of Rs 2.54 billion is higher than last year’s Rs 2.25 billion, which is in tune for a growing firm. However, while almost all segments of expenditure saw an increase, the advertising, marketing and distribution expenses dropped to Rs 602.9 million this fiscal, as compared to Rs 675.32 million in the previous year. This is in sync with what analysts had predicted would happen post the merger of Radio Today Broadcasting (which runs Meow FM).
The company’s operating profit went up by 25.37 per cent which is a significant jump. The operating profit of Rs 309.24 million in FY10, compared to Rs 246.67 million in FY09, indicates that the normal business activities of the firm are growing.
The other income earned by the firm is marginally down this fiscal at Rs 231.04 million from last year’s Rs 242.08 million. However, one of the key factors that led to a lower net profit this year is the hit that it has taken in its balance sheet on account of higher interest and finance charges courtesy Radio Today’s merger with it. The latter had been making losses and had taken huge loans. At Rs 70.49 million, the interest and finance charges in the TV Today financials were significantly higher than last year’s Rs 1.37 million.
However thanks to the company’s overall growth its EPS on a Rs 5 face value share is only marginally lower. At Rs 5.31 in FY10 on a diluted basis, it compares well to Rs 5.79 in FY09. The company’s management has announced a dividend of 15 per cent for the fiscal.
The income generated by the radio segment was Rs 43.61 million, while TV Broadcast was Rs 2.80 billion. However, while the TV segment made a profit of Rs 578.49 million this year, the radio segment made a loss of Rs 221.26 million and this was a major factor in the overall net profit of the firm being down.
The firm has made an advance of payment of Rs 185 million to Mail Today Newspapers to subscribe to its equity and enter the daily newspaper space. The venture is currently notching up huge losses but the management believes it will end up being a profitable decision.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
