News Broadcasting
Times Network’s English Entertainment channels transitions to Planetcast Cloud
Kolkata: Planetcast Media Services, a key player in cloud-based technology for the television broadcast industry announced that Times Network has successfully implemented the transition of its English Entertainment channels and Zoom to it’s cloud platform – Cloud. X.
The turnkey solution includes end-to-end management of broadcast operations including satellite uplinking of Times Network’s channels.
Cloud X, a state-of-the-art cloud infrastructure, which offers an advanced platform along with flexibility for cloud-based operations is deployed to Times Network’s English Entertainment channels – Movies Now SD, Movies Now HD, Romedy Now SD, Romedy Now HD, MNX SD, MNX HD, MN+, and Zoom.
The services are hosted at Planetcast’s advanced cloud data center based out of Noida. As part of the long-term engagement, PMSL also re-distributes the channels to various digital platforms across India.
Times Network Corporate Strategy and Digital Transformation EVP and head Jignesh Kenia said the transition to Cloud was a strategic step in the digital transformation of its broadcast operations. “We are committed to adopting technological and digital solutions that enhance our business expertise through state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, and we are delighted to partner with Planet cast for this critical part of our operations. I am confident that we can enhance our audience reach by delivering a reliable and world-class TV viewing experience.”
According to Planetcast founder-director M N Vyas cloud adoption will drive business recovery from the pandemic across media and entertainment industry. “Our engagement will not only reduce their operational cost but will also streamline broadcast operations across Times Network’s entertainment and news channels. We are on a mission to drive business recovery from the pandemic through cloud adoption,” added Vyas.
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.
