News Broadcasting
Zee Media Corp Ltd and Rotary International join forces for Global Mindcare Conclave
Mumbai: In commemoration of World Mental Health Day, Zee Media Corporation Ltd partnered with Rotary International (District 3012, Rotary Club of Delhi North), the Cosmos Institute of Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences (CIMBS), New Delhi, and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host the inaugural Global Mindcare Conclave on 10 October 2023. The event resonated as a pivotal global advocacy for mental health rights while also focusing on addressing India’s pressing mental health challenges.
The prestigious Global Mindcare conclave was inaugurated by former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, along with Zee Media CEO Abhay Ojha, Rotary immediate past district governor Dr. Lalit Khanna, and WFMH VP Dr. Sunil Mittal, addressed the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’. This conclave served as a comprehensive platform for diverse mental health stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), caregivers, and individuals with lived experiences of mental health disorders. It facilitated in-depth discussions on overcoming barriers, forging partnerships within the mental health sector, and exploring advancements in mental healthcare.
Key highlights from the Global Mindcare Conclave :
- Mental health statistics: Dr. Sunil Mittal underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that nearly 1 billion individuals worldwide grapple with mental disorders, with 20 crore individuals residing in India. Notably, the National Mental Health Survey (2015-2016) unveiled that one in every sixth Indian requires mental health support, demanding immediate innovative interventions.
- Wide range of mental health topics: The conclave hosted eight informative sessions, encompassing a wide spectrum of mental health topics. These sessions included a global and Indian perspective on mental health rights, discussions on mental health law and policy, and an exploration of advancements in mental healthcare. A particular highlight was the discussion on the Tele-Manas program and the role of private psychiatrists in augmenting mental health services.
- Rotary Connect and Care Campaign: Rotary, in collaboration with CIMBS and WFMH, unveiled the Rotary Connect and Care campaign on Mental Health, designed to raise awareness, combat stigma, and provide advanced mental health treatments, including Deep TMS, to underserved populations.
- Psychological First Aid Training: Rotary also revealed its plan to train one lakh individuals in psychological first aid, empowering them as first responders. Zee Media Corp Ltd CEO Abhay Ojha expressed full support for this initiative.
- Recognising Mental Health Advocacy: The conclave paid tribute to individuals from diverse sectors for their significant contributions to mental health by presenting them with “Excellence in Mental Health Care” awards.
Key participants included prominent figures such as Dr. V.K. Paul (Member, NITI Aayog), Dr. Randeep Guleria (Chairman, Dept of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta), Dr. Upasana Arora (MD, Yashoda Superspeciality Hospitals), and Dr. Shikha Nehru Sharma (founder, Nutriwell Health (India)), among others.
Zee Media Corporation Ltd CEO Abhay Ojha highlighted “As media advocates, we have a responsibility to promote positive change. The Global Mindcare Conclave is a step forward towards uniting like-minded partners and advocate for the right to mental health. Our goal is to amplify the conversation, challenge misconceptions, and foster a more inclusive mental health landscape.”
It was a resounding success in fostering collaborative efforts to enhance global mental healthcare. The Global Mindcare Conclave also delved into the critical relationship between nutrition and mental health and highlighted the importance of communication and relationships in maintaining good mental health.
Zee Media Corp Ltd, one of India’s leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528 million viewers through its linear and digital properties.
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.
