News Broadcasting
This Mother’s Day, ZEE urges moms to Vote For Themselves!
Mumbai – ZEE, India’s leading media & entertainment conglomerate, has released a touching Mother’s Day film, with a heartfelt message for mothers to also think about themselves for once – that amidst the ceaseless duties of motherhood, it’s crucial for moms to pause, reflect on their own little hopes and aspirations, and celebrate the simple joys of life that bring them happiness. The film underscores how mothers often lose sight of their own identity while prioritizing the needs of their loved ones. This Mother’s Day, the ZEE Network urges mothers to vote for themselves and reclaim moments of self-discovery, embrace the small pleasures in life, and listen to the whispers of their own hearts. It is a tribute to the giving nature of mothers worldwide, urging them to embrace their individuality and prioritize self-care amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
ZEE’s content design approach rests on building an intimate understanding of the viewer and telling stories that reflect themes that are closest to their heart. As the role of mothers evolves in society, ZEE’s content depiction has moved from traditional portrayals of a mother as a self-sacrificing nurturer to more contemporary narratives that showcase mothers becoming more self-aware, looking after themselves, voicing their own choices and sharing their opinions. This shift is brought to life by some of ZEE’s most loved mothers such as Bhawani of Zee TV’s Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye, Tulasi from Zee Kannada’s Shrirasthu Shubhamasthu and Vasundhara from Zee Marathi’s Punha Kartavya Aahe.
ZEE’s social media clout boasts of a staggering 191 Mn followers and subscribers, fuelling 18.4 Mn organic interactions and 3.5 Bn organic monthly video views. This contributes to 38% SOV on social, making ZEE the No. 1 broadcaster in the digital realm.
Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Advertisement Revenue, ZEE said, “Television is undoubtedly the most trusted medium for viewers and brands. Advertisers have an opportunity to not only leverage the reach and deep regional strength of ZEE but also engage meaningfully through our social and digital assets, where we have built a strong community of followers. This community can spark meaningful conversations with inspiring characters and stories that align perfectly with the brand’s ethos, helping strengthen the brand’s connection and driving desired brand actions.”
*Kartik Mahadev, CMO & Head of OptimiZEE said,* _“The emerging GEC viewer is changing at a rapid pace and so are their content expectations. There is a distinct shift from ‘Duty’ to ‘Desire’ where women are beginning to make choices based on what they ‘WANT’. Our content innovation is driven by many such emerging consumer themes. Through authentic storytelling that is rooted in empathy, our characters address important societal needs, resonating with viewers on a deeper level. Our narratives provide the perfect context for brands to engage with their target audience, fostering meaningful dialogue and connection. One such example is our focus on ‘self-care,’ where we emphasize that it’s not a luxury but a necessity for mothers to at least occasionally prioritize themselves. Our campaign #MaaKaVote showcases many such moments from our shows that will enable brands to build emotional resonance, join the conversation and engage with their target audiences.”
ZEE extends a compelling invitation to brands that are eager to forge authentic connections with their audiences, to join forces with its dynamic community, aspirational characters, and culturally resonant narratives to harness the unparalleled power of storytelling.
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.
