News Broadcasting
Zee launching 2 shows on 28 March
MUMBAI: Sunday’s are special at Zee too. Although the channel is keeping it hush-hush on this one, it will be debuting two new shows on Sunday 28 March.
While sitcom Hum Sab Barati will debut in the 8 pm slot, replacing Chausath Panne’s current series Aandhi, the next edition of Chausath Panne, Lavanya , will debut at 8:30 on the same day.
Produced by erstwhile writer- lyricist- director Sanjay Chhel, Hum Sab… is a comedy starring Dilip Joshi and Tiku Talsnia. Penned by Chhel himself, the sitcom is about a Barati family.
Given his track record in comedy writing, television serials like Naya Nukkad, Filmi Chakkar, Philips Top Ten, Mast Mast Hai Zindagi, Dekh Tamaasha Dekh, Sahara’s latest Malini Iyer and blockbuster films like Rangeela, Yes Boss, Daud, Kacche Dhaage, Pehla Nasha, One Two Ka Four, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaye, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Halo, the latest offering from the king of one-liners should be a rib tickling experience.
While Aandhi, Chausath Panne’s current series was to wind up on 3 March, the channel gave the series an eight episode extension. Despite constant prodding, the channel chose to remain tight lipped on the developments. But according to an industry sources, the channel plans to announce the launch of the new series as well as its new movie acquisitions with a big promotional blitz.
As for Lavanya, the 64-episode series is said to be taking a cue from the classic Dev Anand-Nutan romantic movie. Starring Shilpa Saklani and Rohit Bakshi, the series is being produced by Moving Pictures in association with Rajeev Mehta promoted Dream Team. While both the screen play and the direction is by Habib, Mohit Jha is the episodic director.
Deviating from the usual melodrama’s, the series is said to be a far cry from the extended family saga since it has stayed clear of the screen mothers-fathers- grandmothers routine. Additionally, the lead actors Saklani (Ganga of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi) and Bakshi (Piyush of Kahiin To Hoga) will portray contemporary girl and guy next door characters.
In a bid to augment its comedy band, the channel will also be airing Moving Picture-Dream Team’s next Adal Badal, a four day comedy starring Vinay Pathak and Sumeet Raghvan.
Besides, the channel has already introduced Mahesh Thakur to the cast of its critically acclaimed serial Astitva- Ek prem kahani. Thakur plays Dr Simran aka Niki Aneja’s former love interest Abhi.
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.
