News Broadcasting
Star News gears up for ‘Budget 2004’
MUMBAI: While the finance minister is busy preparing the budget to be tabled on 8 July, Star News has lined up a series of special programming for Budget 2004.
The channel has roped in renowned economist and writer Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar for his expert comments during the series.
The special series will provide the common man with a platform to voice his expectations from the budget and will also look at the hopes and expectations of industrialists, the business community and the finance community from this year’s budget.
The programming, divided into pre-budget, budget and post-budget from 27 June to 10 July, will present an in-depth sector wise analysis, says an officail release.
It will also look at the challenges facing the finance minister on various issues like rural debt, fiscal deficit, subsidies, service tax, excise duties, unemployment, education, infrastructure and the possible solutions.
Debate shows, public interviews, expert analysis, railway budget special and live coverage of the finance minister’s speech will all be a part of the Budget 2004 special programming.
The pre-budget build-up has already started since yesterday with Dil Chahta Hai, a segment which presents the wish list of the individuals from various sections of the society.
Another segment to be launched is Tere Mere Sapne, a special segment, which will capture and present the dreams and hopes of diverse families from across section of the society. Here too the viewers have the opportunity to get their family featured on the show by writing in or via SMS.
These segments shall soon be followed by Sapno Ka Saudagar, a 30-minute show that will present the various budget projections and analysis featuring experts like Swaminathan Aiyar, corporate leaders, industrialists, economists and politicians.
Budget Bahas, which will kick start around the same time,is going to be an hour long program on debates between representatives of the ruling and opposition parties and more importantly will provide a platform to the aam janta or common public to seek answers to their various questions.
On 6 July, Star News will also air a special comprehensive report on the Railway Budget.
Last but not the least, a post budget analysis will be presented on Kya Khoya, Kya Paya beginning 8 July, which will look at the impact across various sectors of the economy and various sections of the society, adds the release.
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.
