News Broadcasting
SRK, Mani Ratnam among prominents to be at ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards
Mumbai: CNN-News18, India’s one of the leading English news channels unveils the highly anticipated ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards, an upcoming spectacle, on 10 January at New Delhi. Recognised as India’s premier television awards now into its 13 edition, the ceremony vows to honour excellence, spotlighting Indians who have conquered the world across various domains. This year, the awards evening will witness the presence of the ‘King of Bollywood’, actor Shah Rukh Khan, renowned filmmaker Mani Ratman, among others.
Set to honour luminaries in the categories of business, sports, entertainment, youth icon, rising sports star, social change, and climate warrior, the ‘Indian of the Year’ awards stand as a beacon of recognition for those shaping India’s narrative. A ground-breaking feature of this year’s event is the distinctive blend of expert judgment and public voting, where 50 per cent of the decision-making power lies with the discerning audience, and the remaining 50 per cent entrusted to a distinguished panel of judges.
The esteemed panel of jurors comprises iconic figures, including former solicitor general of India Harish Salve, screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Retd Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra, former Indian athlete and vice-president of Athletics Federation of India Anju Bobby George, chairperson of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Sanjiv Goenka, and environmental activist and lawyer, Afroz Shah. Their collective wisdom ensures a judicious selection of the most deserving awardees.
The event’s significance is magnified by the calibre of nominees for ‘Indian of the Year 2023.’ sports stars such as Neeraj Chopra, Shubman Gill; rising sports stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, Shafali Verma; business tycoons such as Dinesh Kumar Khara, entertainment stars such as Deepika Padukone, Mani Ratnam; environmental champions like Arun Krishnamurthy, and social change catalysts such as Dr R Ravi Kannan, Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju, reflect the diverse tapestry of India’s excellence.
With a legacy that includes past winners such as Narendra Modi, Neeraj Chopra, and Virat Kohli, the ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ awards have solidified their standing as the epitome of distinction in news television. The 13 edition promises to be a witness to the grandeur and credibility that the event has acquired over the years.
CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob said, “CNN-News18 Indian of the Year award 2023 is a momentous occasion to celebrate the legacy we have built over the years. This prestigious event, with its rich history, has consistently paid homage to exceptional individuals whose contributions have not only shaped the nation but have also resonated on the global stage. The distinguished personalities who participate in this celebration of merit have, year after year, elevated the standards of this platform, cementing its status as one of the most esteemed awards in the industry.”
Network18 CEO – English and business news cluster Smriti Mehra said, “As we mark the journey from its inception to the 13 edition, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year awards stand tall as the epitome of excellence in the field of news television. We extend our heartfelt best wishes to the esteemed nominees, who, through their remarkable global contributions, have become the driving force behind the nation’s narrative. It’s a flagship celebration that not only enhances the prestige of our news channel but also creates unparalleled value for the brands that choose to partner with us.”
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year has RPSG Group as the presenting partner, Chola MS Insurance and Reliance as the associate sponsors, and Amrita University as the education partner.
Tune in to CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 LIVE on 10 January 2024, 6pm onwards, only on CNN-News18
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.
