News Broadcasting
TV9 Network-Red Hat Communications announce grand travel festival
MUMBAI: Imagine the charm of snowy peaks meeting golden beaches, where the thrill of adventure blends seamlessly with serene getaways. As wanderlust takes over the globe this season, travel enthusiasts have the perfect excuse to pack their bags and explore endless possibilities.
Enter the World Travel and Tourism Festival 2025, India’s largest B2C travel and tourism extravaganza, brought to life by TV9 Network and Red Hat Communications.
Taking centre stage at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium near India Gate, New Delhi, from 14 to 16 February 2025, this festival promises to be a melting pot of cultures, destinations, and experiences. It’s more than an event; more of a celebration of India’s booming travel industry and its rise as a global tourism leader. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a dreamer planning your first getaway, this is your gateway to inspiration.
The festival will span over 45,000 sq. ft., offering immersive experiences tailored to all facets of the travel ecosystem. From personalised travel consultations and expert-led travel talks to vibrant cultural performances and cutting-edge travel tech showcases, the event promises something for everyone. Visitors will also enjoy a dedicated food and cuisine zone featuring global flavours, competitions with exciting prizes, and direct interactions with travel brands and tourism boards.
The World Travel and Tourism Festival embodies the rise of India’s travel aspirations, as millions of Indians explore destinations both domestically and internationally. The event will serve as a platform for brands, businesses, and consumers to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
“Travel is no longer a luxury; it is a lifestyle, a necessity for the curious and connected Indian,” said TV9 Network chief growth officer, Raktim Das. “With this festival, we aim to unlock the vast potential of the Indian travel market and offer unparalleled opportunities for engagement and exploration.”
The festival also includes an awards ceremony to recognise innovative travel operators and a special Valentine’s Day concert by a top artist, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees.
TV9 chief revenue officer, Amit Tripathi emphasised the synergy between the network and the travel sector, “As India’s number one news network, we are uniquely positioned to amplify the reach of travel brands. This event will connect the industry to aspirational travellers, particularly from regions where TV9 holds leadership, making it a perfect fit for both businesses and consumers.”
Red Hat Communications CEO, Jyoti Mayal highlighted the festival’s role in shaping India’s tourism landscape, “The World Travel and Tourism Festival is more than an event—it’s a convergence of dreams, destinations, and opportunities. It celebrates India’s journey as a global tourism leader, offering stakeholders an unparalleled platform to engage with today’s new-age traveller.”
At the curtain-raiser event hosted by The Suryaa New Delhi EVP, Greesh Bindra praised the initiative, “This is the first platform where the industry can directly engage with consumers, spotting new trends from travellers themselves. We are proud to support this event, which aligns with our efforts to create unique experiences for guests.”
Festival highlights
1 Valentine’s Day concert by a top artist
2 Cultural performances by international and Indian participants
3 Global and regional cuisine showcases
4 Travel tech displays with innovative apps and gadgets
5 Competitions offering exclusive travel prizes
6 Direct interactions with travel brands and tourism boards
Save the Date
14–16 February 2025
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi
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.
