News Broadcasting
Times Network’s news channels announce exclusive election programming
Mumbai: As Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh prepare for pivotal Assembly and by –poll elections respectively, Times Network’s premium news channels, Times Now, Times Now Navbharat, ET Now & ET Now Swadesh announce comprehensive election programming. Featuring a lineup of exclusive and engaging shows, on-ground reports, insightful analysis, and live election coverage, the ongoing programming promises viewers a holistic news viewing experience.
Under ‘MANDATE 2024,’ Times Now, India’s Election News Headquarters, offers election programming that includes:
1 Access: Go behind the scenes with Maharashtra’s election candidates as they navigate the election campaign trail. Offering a day-in-the-life perspective, this show airing every Saturday at 3:30 p.m., provides an immersive glimpse into the strategies, and challenges, that fuel each candidate’s journey in this electoral grind.
2 Election Yatra: Delving into Maharashtra’s political pulse, this show features live, on-ground reports from Thane, Konkan, Mumbai, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Central Malegaon. This show, airing daily at 5: 30 p.m., analyzes key issues, assesses the current government’s track record, and reveals voter expectations across the state.
3 Inside: Offering an in-depth exploration of the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, this show airing every Saturday at 1:30 pm, delivers detailed analysis of the election scenario across the state, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics driving both elections.
4 The National Debate: Addressing the most significant issues influencing India’s politics, this show brings together a diverse panel of experts in Mumbai for insightful discussions on critical topics. Airing every Saturday at 8 p.m., ‘The National Debate’ sparks meaningful conversations dissecting key topics influencing the course of this election.
Times Now Navbharat under ‘Jan Gan ka Mann’ focuses on:
1 Maharashtra Ka Mahayudh: This electrifying on-ground series directly connects with voters across key constituencies, delving into pressing local issues, capturing public sentiment. Offering a flavour of real electoral pulse, this show, airing daily at 5:30 p.m., offers an unfiltered look at the state’s defining political landscape.
2 9 ki Jang, 27 ka Trailer: Airing daily at 7 p.m., this show dives into 9 crucial battleground seats in the Uttar Pradesh by-election, seen as a precursor to the 2027 assembly election race. With real-time voter insights, the show breaks down the high-stakes dynamics shaping this political battleground.
Public Manch, a show featuring influential personalities from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, engaging in one-on-one conversations, will offer viewers a deeper understanding of the forces shaping India. Set to air every Saturday at 10 p.m., the show will be broadcast on both channels.
Et Now under ‘Battleground Maharashtra’ and Et Now Swadesh under ‘Ranbhoomi’ focus on:
1 Battleground Maharashtra: Et Now brings a special coverage of the Maharashtra Assembly elections on 20 November (Polling Day), and 23 November (Counting Day). Featuring top economists, political commentators and market experts, the extensive coverage will dissect Maharashtra’s significant economic contributions. On 25 November, the first equity trading day after Maharashtra’s new government is formed, the channel will analyze the impact, featuring expert insights from market, macroeconomic, and political guests.
2 Ranbhoomi Jharkhand Ka Ran: This panel discussion on Et Now Swadesh focuses on the high-stakes political climate in Jharkhand will bring together influential political leaders, seasoned analysts, and market experts to dissect key issues, explore potential economic and political impacts of the upcoming elections. Airing on 11 November at 5 p.m., this show will help viewers with perspectives essential for understanding the state’s future trajectory.
3 Ranbhoomi Maharashtra Ka Mahamukabla: Airing on 18 November at 5 p.m. this panel discussion is centred around Maharashtra’s intense electoral contest. Featuring prominent political figures, analysts, and market experts, this show on ET Now Swadesh offers viewers a nuanced understanding of the potential ramifications across both politics and market trends.
4 ET NOW Swadesh Chunav Yatra: This on-ground segment, starting 8 November captures real-time insights from Maharashtra and Jharkhand through a series of impactful interactions with political leaders, analysts, and voters, bringing the region’s evolving election dynamics.
At the end of this crucial polling phase, Times Now and Times Now Navbharat will present Exit Polls (November 20), from 5 p.m. onwards, providing expert insights and analysis on the election outcomes. On Counting Day (23 November), all channels will provide comprehensive, real-time coverage with a lineup of eminent guests, including politicians, political analysts, and senior journalists, offering expert commentary and insights on the unfolding election results.
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.
