News Broadcasting
TV18 announces holding company TV18 Network Ltd
MUMBAI: TV18 has announced consolidation of its media businesses, creating a group structure that is expected to unlock significant shareholder value. Hitherto, the Hindi consumer channel of the Group – “CNBC Awaaz” – and the proposed general news English Channel, were held in promoter entities and were legally not part of the listed Television Eighteen India Limited, due to government restrictions.
The current plan envisages consolidation of both of these channels into the listed entity structure and creation of 2 listed entities – the first one shall be the existing Television Eighteen India Limited, now holding both the business news channels, viz CNBC-TV18 and Awaaz, along with Moneycontrol.com and Commoditiescontrol.com; and a second listed holding company, illustratively titled TV18 Network Ltd, that will hold a 51 per cent plus stake in Television Eighteen India Limited, and a 51 per cent plus stake in the proposed general news Channels, informs an official release.
The restructuring will be achieved through a High Court process whereby the TV18 shareholder will automatically be allotted shares proportionately in the two entities and will now have a legal holding in both Awaaz and the proposed general news English channel, apart from his shareholding in the existing/listed TV18.
The restructuring enables TV18 to comply with the uplinking guidelines of the government, and is sought to be effected in a manner that fully and transparently captures economic value for the TV18 shareholder. The TV18 board has approved the restructuring plan. BMR & Associates are acting as overall financial and transaction advisors, while KPMG India Private Limited has provided indicative valuation guidance for the consolidation.
The new structure is expected to enhance the group’s ability to cater even better to the needs of viewers for accurate, timely and insightful news and information. This also provides the group a platform to embark upon its next phase of growth, having achieved a position of undisputed leadership in the business and consumer news space.
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.
