News Broadcasting
TV Today Network observes top level changes
MUMBAI: One of the leading broadcast networks, TV Today Network, is seeing some top level restructuring. As part of the changes, Rahul Kumar Shaw has been instated as the chief revenue officer (CRO) for TV Today Network. He was earlier the CRO of India Today TV and business head radio. Shaw will oversee ad sales and all revenue opportunities across the Hindi cluster which includes channels like Aaj Tak, DAT and Tez. He will also look after India Today TV and the network’s radio business.
This information came to Indian Television.com at the time when chief revenue officer of the Hindi channels (Aaj Tak, Delhi Aaj Tak and Tej) cluster Rajnish Rikhy has stepped down from his post. Rikhy was promoted as CRO from the network’s senior VP Ad Sales and business head last month. “TV Today Network is a respectful brand and the company is well poised. There is no reason behind my exit. I just want to pursue other career opportunities”, says Rikhy. Prior to joining TV Today Network, Rikhy served at BCCL New Delhi as vice president(R).  |
|
Under the new structure, India Today Group business head Manoj Sharma, has been promoted to publishing director for Living Media. In his role, he will be responsible for addressing revenue maximisation, driving cost efficiencies and building brand salience. Merged entity magazines like India Today English, Hindi and its supplements, Business Today, Robb Report, Reader’s Digest, etc., will be under Sharma’s ambit. |
Vivek Malhotra has been elevated to the position of chief marketing officer from VP marketing. He will oversee the marketing functions across the network’s TV channels, merged entity publications and digital. Understanding and growing on the needs of the viewers will be Malhotra’s key responsibility. With this change, Vishwalok Nath will take on greater revenue responsibilities in the India Today Group as head of strategic alliances, business development and syndication. He will focus towards greater monetisation opportunities for the group. |
Shaw and Malhotra will continue to report to TV Today Network CEO Ashish Bagga
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.
