News Broadcasting
Trai needs consultants for satellite radio
NEW DELHI: After trying out consultants for the era of digitalisation and migration from the present set-up, broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory of Authority of India (Trai), now wants to engage consultants for satellite radio broadcast to advise it on a policy framework for the segment.
The consultants would be required to give their report and draft recommendations and would be required to furnish their reports on the following points:-
o Study of international trends on satellite radio.
o The report should cover at least four countries.
o The report should cover the statutes and regulations adopted by these countries towards satellite radio.
o The report should also cover the technical standards adopted by these countries.
o Consultant would provide draft recommendation/regulations appropriate for India situations.
For this purpose, Trai has invited expressions of interest from reputed consulting firms by 1 October, 2004.
Presently, worldover, there are three satellite digital radio systems, which are in operation. These are World Space, XM Radio and Sirius Radio. The three systems are capable of individually providing about hundred radio channels of digital quality.
World Space, through the western beam of its Asiastar satellite is providing about 40 radio channels over the Indian sub-continent. The satellite digital radio has great potential for India due to its large size, Trai feels.
With regard to the international scenario and the benefits that result from satellite radio, Trai proposes to examine the need for regulating the satellite radio and also look at the possibility of promoting uplinking from India.
Before the start of work, the consultant will indicate the number and names of the countries to be studied, to Trai for approval and submit a report latest by 30 November 2004. Based on comprehensive information on satellite radio in these countries, and taking account of any special features of the
Indian situation, the consultant shall provide draft recommendations, including suggestions on policies/ regulations to promote this segment.
According to Trai, five parties will be short listed on the basis of the team handling the project and experience of handling similar nature of projects and would be required to make a presentation of their credentials and the approach to the proposed project before a committee on 8 October, 2004.
The firms will be assessed on the following criteria for marks mentioned against these parameters:
(a) Experience and capabilities in handling similar projects as consultants
(b) Sector expertise and experience
(c) Understanding of satellite radio industry and problems of change
(d) Proposed consultant team qualification to the project
(e) Local and global presence
(f) Research capabilities
Final selection would be conveyed on 15 October, 2004 and the successful bidder would start work on 20 October.
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.
