News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 and Microsoft launch SMB UTSAV to recognize and reward unsung SMB heroes of the Indian economy
Small and Medium Businesses have been the backbone of the Indian economy. While Covid-19 did hinder their streamlined work, it also made them appreciate the role of modern technology plays in growth and prosperity in this digital age, and how it can help them step into the future. Driving this similar thought ahead and aiming to help SMBs in this long run – CNBC-TV18, Indian leading English business news channel has joined hands with Microsoft to launch ‘SMB Utsav’. This contest is an opportunity of recognition for all the unsung heroes of the Indian economy to get business and technology offerings worth upto ₹ 15 lakhs and bolster their growth in the new paradigm.
Started from 7th December 2020, this is a 4 month-long event, which will identify and award the best SMB for their business/organizational resilience every month. The aim is to provide a game-changing environment for small businesses that will enable flexibility, operational efficiencies, and increased productivity. This in turn will help the winning SMB to drive innovation and unlock opportunities. With the help of Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India(ICRA) analytics – the knowledge partners, CNBC-TV18 will shortlist businesses from the received entries and assess their mettle that helped tide over the recent adversities. The winner will be awarded benefits of worth 18 lakh which will include technology benefits, business benefits by Microsoft and country wide promotion on the CNBC-TV18 platforms.
The CNBC-TV18 editorial panel along with ICRA will conduct a 3-phase methodology(Judging process), which will be a deliberate procedure designed on a combination of various criteria, including online submission, shortlisting, and at the final stage, the jury meet.
Commenting on the same, Smriti Mehra, CEO at CNBC-TV18 said, “Considering the situation of the current time, we have realized that implementation of technology is a must for every business. With more and more innovations coming into the picture, it is only practical that SMBs adapt to them and take their businesses to the next step. Using the expertise of Microsoft, we want to help businesses realize their potential and give them a boost towards their growth with digital transformation and help uplift the economy of our country.”
To know more about the event or nominate yourselves, you can visit the given
link: https://www.cnbctv18.com/ms/smbutsav/
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.
