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Zee Studios International unveils its 2020 slate
MUMBAI: An undisputed forerunner in overseas film distribution, Zee Studios International graced 2019 with commercially and critically acclaimed films like Manikarnika, Anandi Gopal (Marathi), Kala Shah Kala (Punjabi), Kesari, Lucifer (Malayalam), Article 15, Judgementall Hai Kya, Nerkonda Paarvai(Tamil), Surkhi Bindi (Punjabi), Dream Girl among others. This year not only Zee Studios International reinstated its position as a leader in international distribution in conventional markets but also paved the way for the industry to foray into uncharted territories, opening up new avenues for Bollywood films worldwide.
The company has announced its stellar line up for 2020, along with announcing distribution of Filipino titles. In response to the increasing appetite of the audience abroad for content-led cinema, Zee Studios International‘s 2020 slate comprises of some power-packed movies. The studio will end the year with a bang with the most anticipated dramedy ‘Good Newwz’ starring Akshay Kumar & Kareena Kapoor Khan slated to release during Christmas 2019, Vicky Kaushal’s horror-thriller Bhoot in February 2020, Alankrita Shrivastava’s women-oriented comedy satire ‘Dolly Kitty And These Twinkling Stars’ starring Konkana Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar in February 2020 and the biopic on Gunjan Saxena – The Kargil Girl featuring Janhvi Kapoor in March 2020. Apart from this, being the only Indian distribution entity for Filipino movies, Zee Studios International is gearing up to release the most anticipated films like ‘Unforgettable’ and ‘Untrue’ across Singapore on 7th November 2019 and January 2020 respectively.
Commenting on the robust pipeline, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited Global Syndication & International Film Distribution Head Vibha Chopra said, “We had a fantastic run in 2019 and with the forthcoming line up we hope to bring a healthy mix of films that are relatable, entertaining and highly appealing to the audiences across the globe. With this slate, we aim to go beyond our regular territories and tap newer markets as well.”
Every film released by the studio overseas has set new benchmarks for its strategic distribution. The studio has not only successfully released its movies in markets like U.K, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE/GCC but have also opened new apertures in unconventional markets like
China, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Czech Malta, Hungary, Maldives, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to name a few.
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.
