News Broadcasting
Star shows 22% Q1 revenue growth, but operating income down
MUMBAI: News Corp’s Asian arm Star’s first quarter FY 2006 operating income has declined versus a year ago as revenue growth of 22 per cent, primarily in India, was more than offset by higher programming and promotional costs from the launch of new channels and an expanded programming line-up at Star Plus.
The revenue growth was driven by increased advertising revenues at Star Plus from the re-launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati and from higher subscription revenues reflecting new channel offerings and the international distribution of several of Star’s channels.
News Corp, which declared its fiscal first-quarter results yesterday, reported an overall net loss of $433 million, compared with a net profit of $625 million a year earlier. The Rupert Murdoch-controlled media conglomerate took the hit on a large accounting charge.
However, first quarter operating income jumped 19 per cent to $909 million on a revenue growth of 10 per cent at $5.7 billion.
Much of the growth was due to strong performance in News Corp’s cable network programming division, including the Fox News Channel and Regional Sports Networks affiliates, which offset a 32 per cent decline in broadcast TV operating income.
Commenting on the results, Murdoch said: “Our first quarter results reflect yet again the fiscal and operational momentum we have enjoyed for quite some time. Indeed, this was our 15th consecutive quarter reporting year-on-year operating income and revenue growth, and we delivered strong gains across nearly all of our operating segments. The sustained revenue, profit and cash flow strength from our established asset base has afforded us the opportunity to invest in several non-traditional media businesses that are experiencing explosive growth.
“And we have opportunistically expanded into new media, acquiring several assets which complement our existing businesses and which we believe enable us to better monetize our vast library of popular content. With solid momentum throughout the Company and a strong foundation of new media investments, we believe we are ideally situated to deliver continued strong returns in the future.”
Murdoch, meanwhile, has said News Corp’s internet division was well placed to increase revenue growth after the global conglomerate had transformed itself into a “new kind” of media company.
“The company is nimble enough to leverage our existing strength into this new medium and, with a very rational amount of investment, transform ourselves into a digital powerhouse in our own right,” Murdoch said. “We are positioned to grow revenue very quickly by targeting (internet) ads to specific users,” he added.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
