News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN and Rajdeep Sardesai Leads in Social Media Conversation during Assembly Elections
MUMBAI: The recent research conducted by an independent organizationGoonj Labs, on news channel’s social media engagement during the latest Assembly Elections, has yet again proved that CNN-IBN, India’s No. 1 English News channel is the leader in social media space too. The channel’s popularity when calculated across platforms on Google Search, Facebook, Twitter, Google News, You Tube was 14% higher in comparison to the nearest channel on the counting day. CNN- IBN consistently receives more positive feedback than the rest.
In terms of interactions,Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN Lokmat is leading the pack, especially due to personal intervention and responses which come regularly. On the counting day, 67% people searched, read, or interacted with content related to Rajdeep(#AskRajdeep) in India.When it comes to interaction with opinion makersand influencers Rajdeep Sardesai is the most popular choice, the popularity of Rajdeep was 73% more than the average for English News editors and a staggering 35% more than his nearest competitor, also Rajdeep Sardesai received 95% more than Arnab G. and 33% more than Barkha Dutt.
In terms of positive interactions on social media, Rajdeep Sardesai is the most popular choice with 60% more positive interactions than the average for the English News editors.On the election results day, Rajdeep Sardesai was the most sought after English News editor on social media; not only in terms of volume but also in terms of positive comments and interaction with influential individuals.
CNN-IBN, the most watched English news channelof the Countryleads other channels in positive conversations and interactions in social media space; the channel has 64% more positive conversations than the category average for English News. On the day of announcements, CNN-IBN had the highest share of conversations compared to other English news channels (approx. 30% ahead), also on positive conversations and engagement, CNN-IBN is consistently ahead. In comparison to the rest, CNN-IBN is the most popular choice when it comes to the influential people on social media;the popularity of CNN-IBN among influencers is 56% more than the category average for English News.The popularity of CNN-IBN was 48% more than the category average for English News.
The result from the report by Goonj Labs has proved that, CNN-IBN & Rajdeep Sardesai were hands down Winners on Social Media Space during Assembly Elections.
News Broadcasting
Network18 trims FY26 losses as Q4 revenue touches Rs 1,955 crore, 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.
