News Broadcasting
Viacom reports impressive Q3 2002 results
NEW YORK: Media conglomerate Viacom has had a happy Q3 2002. The results show that revenues increased 10 per cent to $6.3 billion from $5.7 billion and operating income increased to $1.3 billion from $194 million in the same quarter last year.
Higher revenues and operating income in every segment and a 14 per cent overall increase in advertising revenues, led by the strength of the company’s broadcast and cable networks, and television and radio stations mark this quarter’s results.
Television revenues increased 14 per cent and operating income rose to $314 million from $78 million; cable networks’ revenues grew 13 per cent and operating income increased 41 per cent to $511 million from $363 million; and Infinity revenues increased six per cent driven primarily by 10 per cent growth in radio, and operating income rose to $322 million from $61 million.
Cable Networks (MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, TNN and CMT; BET; and Showtime Networks ) revenues increased 13 per cent to $1.2 billion from $1.1 billion. Revenue and operating income increases were driven by double-digit advertising revenue growth at MTV, Nickelodeon, TV Land, TNN and BET and increases in affiliate fees. The third quarter included The 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, the most-watched show in its 19-year history.
Television revenues increased to $1.8 billion from $1.6 billion. CBS and UPN Networks combined delivered 18 per cent growth in advertising revenues, led by growth in primetime of over 20 per cent. The Stations group delivered 30 per cent year-over-year advertising revenue growth due to strong sales in the automotive, leisure and media industries as well as increased political ads and the addition of KCAL- Los Angeles, which was acquired in May 2002. KCAL contributed eight per cent of Stations revenue growth for the quarter.
Syndication revenues declined primarily, reflecting the absence of contributions from the syndication of Everybody Loves Raymond in the same quarter last year, partially offset by incremental cable sales in the current quarter. Television’s 2001 results were impacted by the events of 9/11, which caused lower revenues from the cancellation and rescheduling of programming and increased news coverage costs. Television EBITDA increased 23 per cent to $349 million from $283 million.
Video revenues increased 10 per cent to $1.4 billion from $1.3 billion and operating income of $80 million increased from a loss of $318 million. Domestic and international same store sales were up 7.6 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively.
Increased investment in rental and retail initiatives resulted in the decrease in gross margin and operating income, which was also affected by higher marketing costs to initiate new consumer programs. Blockbuster ended the third quarter of 2002 with 8,246 company-owned and franchise stores, a net increase of 395 stores over the third quarter of 2001.
In the fourth quarter of 2002, the company expects to deliver in excess of 20 per cent growth in earnings per share, operating income and EBITDA versus the same quarter last year. For the full year 2003, the company expects to deliver mid-single digit revenue growth resulting in double-digit EBITDA growth and mid-teen growth in operating income and earnings per share.
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.
