News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 emerges as india’s no. 1 english news channel
MUMBAI: This budget week, CNBC-TV18 demolished the competition and emerged as India’s no. 1 English news channel, ahead of the likes of Republic TV and Times Now (Source: BARC India | TG: NCCS AB Male 22yrs+ | Market: India | Period: Wk 5'19, Imp'000 & Market Share). In the English Business news genre, CNBC-TV18 led with a 58% market share, which was greater than the rest of the channels put together, cementing its reputation as India’s Budget Headquarters (Source: BARC India | TG: NCCS AB Male 22yrs+ | Market: India | Period: Wk 5'19, Imp'000 & Market Share).
For the past 19 years, CNBC-TV18 has been India’s premier business news destination. With its unwavering focus on quality content, the channel has always been the preferred choice on all business and economy-related news, dominating the English business news genre, with a 66% market share, on a week on week basis. (Source: BARC, TG: NCCS AB Male 22+, Market: All India (U+R), Period: Wk 45'18- 5'19),
Speaking on CNBC-TV18’s consistent superiority, Avinash Kaul, COO – Network 18 & Managing Director A+E Networks I TV18, said “Disseminating financial news that matters and impacts the people of this country is a task we take very seriously. For the past 19 years, CNBC-TV18 has retained its position as the undisputed leader and this Budget was no different. This exceptional performance is because of our quality content that is authentic and consumer friendly. Our audiences place immense trust in us and we intend on retaining it.”
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.
