News Broadcasting
SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax
MUMBAI: The two channels from the SPE Networks Asia stable, AXN Asia and Animax Asia have undergone a re-organisation with new hires and promotions of key personnel. A strategic attempt by the organisation to facilitate expansion and boost the channel profiles in the region.
AXN director-programming Wong Yan-Jong, has been promoted to executive director and will oversee the programming of AXN Asia and manage the functions of marketing and creative services. The enlarged portfolio will give her a bird’s eye view of the brand, ensuring consistency in strategy planning right through to the execution of on-air and off-air activities, informs an official release.
Also within the AXN team, Kartik Budhraja has been promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services at AXN. He leads a team of producers for various feeds including East Asia, Taiwan, Korea and India.
At Animax, vice-president Asia Betty Tsui will similarly oversee the critical functions of programming, marketing and creative services, as well as conquering new markets to expand the channel’s reach.
The Animax brand was given a new look and image in June 2006 and in its effort to ensure a smooth execution of the revamp, two significant additions were made to the Animax team -Judy Chow is the new marketing director; while Garry Hui joins as the associate director for programming. Together, they will have the responsibilty to identify programmes and marketing initiatives that will connect and interact with today’s youths, adds the release.
In addition, Tracy Wong was promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services, overseeing on-air activities for Animax across all feeds, including the launch of the new on-air branding. Prior to February 2006, Tracy was the senior producer for AXN East Asia feed, where she showcased her creativity through various on-air campaigns that garnered numerous awards, including two Gold awards at Promax Asia 2005.
Also, a new affiliate marketing manager has been hired to take care of affiliate marketing – Shyanne Chao joins SPE Networks Asia from StarHub, and will be dealing with cable partners around the region.
These structural changes come in response to the organization’s attempts to consolidate the programming and brand marketing of their two channel brands during last three months.
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.
