News Broadcasting
Subscription drives Network18; TV18 revenues, EBITDA up
BENGALURU: Network18 Media & Investments (Network18, N18) reported 10.8 pe rcent increase in consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2019 (Q1 2020, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (y-o-y). TV18 Broadcast (TV18), a publically listed subsidiary of N18, is a major contributor to Network18’s numbers. TV18 reported 9.7 percent y-o-y increase in consolidated operating revenue for Q1 2020 as compared to Q1 2019. Subscription revenue increased 48.3 percent for the quarter under review to Rs 424 crore from Rs 286 crore.
Company speak
Network18 says in an earnings release that New Tariff Order (NTO) implementation pains have smoothened as the value-chain adjusts to the new regime, and its subscription income has received a boost. Nevertheless, some flux in distribution and viewership is lingering, which N18 expects to taper away in the near term. As consumers make their pack/channel choices, the company believes that strong content propositions and distinctive brands will continue to gain traction. The company says that its bouquet is well-placed to benefit, through leading channels and improved distribution tie-ups.
Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “Amidst a challenging advertising environment and the implementation of a new tariff regime, we have continued to focus on creating great content for all media. Our regional portfolio continues to grow across both broadcasting and digital, and we believe that the connect our growing brands enjoy with the diverse Indian populace shall stand us in good stead.”
Speaking as chairman of TV18, Zainulbhai said “Our channel brands have witnessed a strong uptake in the new tariff regime which places the consumer even more at the center of the broadcasting business model. Class-leading value, genre-defining content and a pipe-agnostic approach are the tenets which we believe will continue to propel our portfolio forward.”
Let us look at the numbers reported by the company
Network18 operating revenue grew to Rs 1,245 crore in Q1 2020 from Rs 1,124 crore in Q1 2019. Consolidated operating EBIDTA for the quarter under review more than doubled (grew 137 percent) to Rs 46 crore from Rs 19 crore.
The company says that operating revenues from its News business (TV18 standalone) grew 29 percent y-o-y to Rs 298 crore in Q1 2020 from Rs 232 crore in Q1 2019. The company reported a positive EBIDTA from its News business of Rs 20 crore in Q1 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 1 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.
Revenue from its Entertainment business (Viacom18, AETN and Indiacast) grew 5 percent y-o-y in Q1 2020 to Rs 899 crore from Rs 857 crore in Q1 2019.
TV18 consolidated revenue for Q1 2020 grew 10 percent to Rs 1,198 crore from Rs 1,088 crore in Q1 2019. Consolidated EBIDTA for Q1 2020 grew 96 percent y-o-y to Rs 77 crore from Rs 39 crore in Q1 2019.
Network18’s Digital, Print, Others Business and intercompany eliminations (Digital) grew 32 percent to Rs 48 crore from Rs 32 crore. EBIDTA increased to a loss of Rs 128 crore in Q1 2020 from a loss of Rs 112 crore in Q1 2019.
Network18’s total expenditure increased 10.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,308 crore from Rs 1,308 crore from Rs 1,181 crore. The company reported 11 percent higher operating costs for Q1 2020 at Rs 574 crore as compared to Rs 517 crore in Q1 2019. Marketing and distribution expenses during the quarter under review increased 33.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 252 crore from Rs 189 crore. Finance costs in Q1 2020 increased 53.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 63 crore from Rs 41 crore. Other expenses for the quarter under review declined 21.3 percent to Rs 100 crore from Rs 127 crore.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
