News Broadcasting
BBC World appoints first ever business correspondent in Mumbai
MUMBAI: BBC World, the BBC’s international 24-hour news and information television channel, has appointed Karishma Vaswani as its first ever business correspondent in Mumbai.
From 1st January 2006, Karishma will submit reports from Mumbai for the daily programmes Asia Business Report broadcast in Asia and the Middle East, and World Business Report, transmitted globally.
As a business correspondent for the channel in Singapore for the past three years, Karishma has reported on important business developments in the region – most significantly, the anniversary of the Asian financial crisis in Indonesia and the last two Indian financial budgets. She has also interviewed key influential people including the Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, and the founding father of Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew.
Karishma’s family originates from Sindh, she was born in Singapore and grew up in Jakarta. A graduate from Warwick University, England, Karishma began her broadcasting career with CNBC Asia where she worked as an assistant producer for three years.
Karishma is proud of her multicultural background and says: “I think the fact I have lived in many countries means I have a strong local knowledge and but can also offer a global outlook, much like BBC World.”
Commenting on her new role, she adds: “It’s a great privilege and a fantastic opportunity. India is a dynamic and growing economy with so many stories to cover, and BBC World has the reputation and the resources to bring them to a global audience.”
Sian Kevill, BBC World’s editorial director, says: “BBC World’s commitment to increasing our newsgathering strength in the South Asia region is part of our long-term plan to provide additional resources across key markets. Karishma is a bright and promising reporter and her contribution from the heart of India’s financial centre will undoubtedly enhance our global business coverage.”
For further information contact:
Deeptie Sethi/ Neha Sharma Suvir Paul
BBC World Genesis Public Relations
Tel: 91 11 2341 2672/73 Ext. 102 Tel: 95124 504 4999 Ext. 62
Email: deeptie.sethi@bbc.co.uk Email: spaul@genesispr.com
Notes to editors:
BBC World, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies. BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 270 million households (128 million 24-hour homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World launched in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and subscription. For further information on how to receive BBC World, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit www.bbcworld.com
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.
