News Broadcasting
TV18 boosts Network18 numbers for third quarter
BENGALURU: Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani’s media arm, Network18 reported improved numbers for the quarter ended 31 December 2018 (Q3 2019, quarter under review) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter Q3 2018). The company reported 13 percent y-o-y growth in consolidated revenue for Q3 2019 at Rs 1,475 crore as compared to Rs 1,267 crore in Q3 2018. Network18 reported profit after taxes of Rs 138 crore for Q3 2018. Consolidated operating EBITA increased 18 percent y-o-y to Rs 88 crore in Q3 2019 from Rs 75 crore in Q3 2018.
Network18’s numbers comprise of numbers from its publically listed subsidiary TV 18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) and from NW18 Web digital, print and others.
TV 18 props Network 18 numbers
TV 18 consolidated revenue of Rs 1,474 crore in Q3 2019 was 22 per cent higher y-o-y than Rs 1,211 crore in Q3 2018. TV 18 consolidated operating EBIDTA for Q3 2019 increased 41 percent y-o-y to Rs 115 crore from Rs 82 crore in Q3 2018
Revenue growth in Q3 2019 was across all revenue streams. The company’s operating revenue from Business and General news (TV 18 standalone) increased 16 per cent y-o-y to Rs 290 crore from Rs 251 crore. The segment’s operating EBIDTA more than doubled (increased 130 percent) y-o-y in Q3 2019 to Rs 47 crore from Rs 20 crore.
National News (Business and General) revenue increased 12 percent in Q3 2019 y-o-y to Rs 220 crore from Rs 196 crore. National News (Business and General) operating EBITDA increased 13 percent y-o-y to 56 crore from Rs 49 crore. National News. Regional News ex-Lokmat operating revenue during the quarter under review increased 27 percent y-o-y to Rs 70 crore from Rs 55 crore. The segment reported a substantially lower loss of Rs 9 crore for Q3 2019 as compared to Rs 29 crore for Q3 2018.The Entertainment segment (Viacom 18, AETN18 and Indiacast) saw a 23 percent y-o-y increase in revenue to Rs 1,185 crore in Q3 2019 from Rs 960 crore. Operating profit of the Entertainment segment increased 11 percent y-o-y to Rs 68 core from Rs 61 core.
NW18 Web digital, print and others numbers continue decline
In Q2 2018, NW18 Web digital, print and others (NW18) revenue declined. The decline continued with a 13 per cent y-o-y fall in Q3 2019 to Rs 49 crore from Rs 56 crore in Q3 2018. NW18 operating EBIDTA was higher loss of Rs 27 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 7 crore in Q3 2018.
Company speak
Chairman of Network18, Adil Zainulbhai said: “Regional content consumption continues to see robust growth across all parts of the media industry that we play in, whether broadcasting or digital; and straddling news, entertainment and film. We continue to invest in digital with an eye on the future. We are extending our powerful brands across geographies, business models and mediums, to create the most compelling portfolio of properties in the opportunity-laden Indian media sector.”
Notes
Viacom18 and Indiacast became subsidiaries of TV18 from 28 February 2018 and have been consolidated into TV18/Network18 financials from 1 March 2018. HomeShop18 has ceased to be a subsidiary of Network18 from 15 February 2018 as a result of its acquisition of ShopCJ through a share-swap.
News Broadcasting
Zee Business corners 74.2 per cent market share on Budget Day, BARC data shows
Channel extends lead as investors tune in for policy decoding and markets
MUMBAI: Zee Business tightened its grip on India’s business news audience on Union Budget Day, commanding a 74.2 per cent market share during peak coverage hours, according to data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
The numbers, tracked between 0800 and 1000 hrs in north India among NCCS ABC males aged 22 and above, underscore the channel’s dominance as investors and traders tuned in for real-time policy decoding and market reaction. The share was calculated across two business news channels.
Industry executives say the spike mirrors an earnings-call-style verdict from viewers: speed, clarity and conviction won the day. Zee Business has retained its leadership beyond Budget Day, topping the charts on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, signalling sustained audience loyalty rather than a one-off surge.
The ratings momentum carried into Budget Samvad 2026, the channel’s flagship post-Budget discussion, broadcast live from the Bombay Stock Exchange. The session was moderated by Zee Business managing editor Anil Singhvi, and featured market veteran Ramesh Damani, among other participants.
Viewers were drawn to wall-to-wall Budget analysis, sharp market calls and plain-English interpretation of policy measures: an approach that continues to differentiate the channel in a crowded news market.
“The 74.2 per cent share reflects viewer trust in timely and credible market insight,” Singhvi said, adding that the post-Budget forum was designed to move beyond headlines and unpack the implications for investors and the broader economy.
