News Broadcasting
TV18, Sophia Polytechnic hosts award for docu film making
MUMBAI: TV18 and the Department of Social Communications Media at Sophia Polytechnic hosted the Award for Excellence in Documentary filmmaking. The philosophy behind the initiative is to encourage young female talent in communications and broadcast journalism.
The Chief Guest for the ceremony was the TV18 Group’s Managing Editor, Senthil Chengalvarayan.
The TV18 Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking will be an annual trophy which will carry a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 for the winning group. An independent panel of industry professionals and senior educational staff will judge the students.
The association aims to help potential documentary filmmakers and will help nurture the spirit of independent filmmaking and issue-based creative work.
Addressing the gathering TV 18 The Cell Network Creative Director Zubin Driver said, “It is indeed an honor to be a part of such an awards ceremony. This is an excellent platform for women filmmakers to show case their talent.”
.This initiative will also kick-start a long term relationship between TV18 and Sophia Polytechnic, which includes course interventions, internships and workshops that will involve real time media experience.”
The award-winning documentary was titled: Mom & Dad
Group 3 was awarded for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking at the Social Communication Media Department of Sophia Polytechnic.
The winners include:Naina Panemanglor, Yashaswini S.R.,Chinmayi Shalya, Pallavi Joshi,Neha Belvalkar,Priyanka Bhuyan, Kavita Carneiro, Anshika Varma, Priyanka Mehra.
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.
