News Broadcasting
UK viewers for more visibility of disabled people on TV
LONDON: Television viewers show a high degree of acceptance of disabled people on screen, with 79 per cent saying they would not mind if a disabled person read the main evening news bulletin, The findings are contained in a new research Disabling Prejudice which was commissioned by the BBC, the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) and Independent Television Commission (ITC).
The report also notes that broadcasters appear more cautious, concerned with perceived audience prejudices, ratings and other possible constraints.
The majority of viewers (61 per cent) say that there should be more portrayals of disabled people on television in a wide variety of roles, including as presenters. The inclusion of disabled people in television advertising was also welcomed, particularly where it challenges negative stereotypes or actively promotes positive images of disabled people.
The report examines attitudes towards disability, and the representation of disability on television, by both disabled and non-disabled viewers, and by broadcasting industry professionals.
ITC chief executive, Patricia Hodgson said: “The feedback we have had from viewers and from industry professionals in this project sheds some very useful light on their different expectations about disability.”
“It is understandable that broadcasters are sensitive about involving disabled people in programmes, both on and off screen, but this should not be an excuse to shy away from properly representing society,” Hodgson added.
The report notes that television is seen as a particularly powerful medium, so accuracy of portrayals is considered vital, as is the need for television to offer positive role models to young disabled people, and the avoidance of negative stereotypes (including well-intentioned emphasis on the “bravery” of a disabled person).
Among some non-disabled viewers there remained barriers to acceptance of more prominence of disabled people on screen. These viewers were less comfortable watching people whom they perceived to be “different”. Some industry professionals also thought that viewers expected actors and presenters to be traditionally good looking, and had concerns over how audiences might respond to more “severely” disabled actors or presenters.
The research identified several factors that would increase the likelihood of on-screen portrayals being widely accepted by these kinds of viewers: They include:
* Matching – This means demonstrating that “you are like me”. Portrayals should go beyond disability to focus on the disabled person as being, in most respects, just like everyone else
* Likeability – Broadcasters should aim at creating emotional connections with viewers through shared qualities, for example, a presenter with an engaging personality or sense of humour;
* Celebrity – using a famous actor to play a disabled role. This was recognised as an effective way of attracting attention to a programme, and there was support for this approach from the majority of viewers, given the desire to raise awareness and increase the number of variety of portrayals – as long as the resulting portrayals are accurate.
* Incidental inclusion – This refers to involving disabled people at all levels of programming and production, and featuring disabled characters or presenters where their disability was not the reason for their inclusion or central to the storyline.
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.
