News Broadcasting
Walt Disney 2Q earnings climb 19 per cen
MUMBAI: Riding on the strong ratings success of ABC Network and cable channels shows coupled with the increased attendance at its theme parks, The Walt Disney Company’s profits in the second quarter have risen by 19 per cent.
The company’s net income rose to $733 million from $657 million. Sales advanced 2.5 per cent to $8.03 billion in the period ended 1 April. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 19 per cent to $0.37, compared to $0.31 in the prior year quarter. For the six months period, diluted EPS increased 16 per cent to $0.74 compared to $0.64 in the prior year period.
“Disney’s ongoing commitment to creative and operational excellence is evident in our strong second quarter results. At the same time, the strategic initiatives we pursued during the quarter help position us for future creative success, new opportunities to reach consumers with our products, and long term value creation for our shareholders,” said the Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A Iger.
The company’s Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 18 per cent to $3.6 billion and segment operating income increased 20 per cent to $969 million driven by strong performance at broadcasting.
The operating income at Cable Networks increased $41 million to $ 809 million for the quarter primarily due to growth at ESPN, which was driven by higher affiliate revenues from increased contractual rates. This increase was partially offset by higher revenue deferrals at ESPN, investments in ESPN branded mobile phone service, increased programming and production expenses and higher administrative costs at ESPN. ABC’s hit dramas such as Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy also help boost the network’s revenues.
Revenue deferrals at ESPN increased by $31 million versus the prior year quarter due to new programming commitments in an affiliate contract and higher affiliate rates. Revenue deferrals for the six month period increased $137 million as compared to the prior six month period. Cable Networks also experienced modest profit growth at the Disney Channel and ABC Family.
Broadcasting
Operating income at broadcasting increased $122 million to $160 million for the quarter primarily due to improved performance at the ABC Television Network and Television Production and Distribution, partially offset by investments in new initiatives at the Internet Group.
The growth at ABC Television Network was due to increased primetime advertising revenues resulting from strong upfront sales and continued strength in ratings. Ad revenues also increased due to the Super Bowl and the timing of Bowl Championship Series games, although this increase was essentially offset by related programming and production expenses. The increase at television production and distribution was driven by higher third party license fees for Scrubs, as this series entered its fifth season of network television, and increased international sales of Touchstone Television dramas.
Parks and Resorts
Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased seven per cent to $2.3 billion and segment operating income increased 17 per cent to $214 million. Operating income growth at the resorts was due to increased theme park attendance, higher hotel guest spending and occupancy and strong sales at Disney Vacation Club.
Studio Entertainment
Studio Entertainment revenues for the quarter decreased 22 per cent to $1.8 billion and segment operating income decreased 39 per cent to $ 147 million. This was mainly because the company’s DVD releases have not sold well. “Lower segment operating income was due to a decline in worldwide home entertainment partially offset by increases in domestic theatrical motion pictures distribution and worldwide television distribution,” an official statement said.
Consumer Products
Consumer products revenues for the quarter decreased three per cent to $451 million and the operating income decreased eight per cent to $104 million. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower results at Buena Vista Games and Merchandise Licensing.
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.
