News Broadcasting
Times Network appoints Mihir Bhatt as chief editor – IPs
MUMBAI: Times Network, part of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group, today announced the appointment of Mihir Bhatt as chief editor – IPs. In his new role, Mihir will spearhead efforts to create unique and content-rich offerings on all IPs of the network, in addition to his editorial and anchoring responsibilities at ET NOW.
Based in Noida, Bhatt will report to ET NOW managing editor Sandeep Gurumurthi.
Commenting on the appointment, Gurumurthi said, “We are delighted to have Mihir join us. The knowledge, expertise and experience that Mihir brings on board will further strengthen our IP offerings as a network. Having led an editorial team in a national channel, his understanding of content that influences, impacts, engages and inspires is very strong. Mihir is also a seasoned business news anchor and will enrich the star-studded anchor line up of ET NOW.”
Speaking on his new role, Bhatt said, “I am excited to be a part of the Times Network team. Having spent several years creating landmark content-led IP’s and innovating editorial outcomes, I look forward to harnessing my best efforts and strengths to create impactful and content rich campaigns.”
Mihir joins Times Network after a successful stint at Zee Business, where he led the editorial team. He was instrumental in successfully creating marquee content properties for Zee Business such as Sensex Ka Sultan, Hunt for India’s Smart Investor, Market Excellence Awards and Zee Business Bull Run to name a few.
As part of his editorial responsibilities, he designed and executed large-scale editorial activities for Zee Business such as GST Campaign, Gen Next Budget, Ministerial Conclave and Tycoons@Dalal Street.
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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.
