News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN Presents Young India Debates
MUMBAI: With more than half of India’s population below the age of 25 & around 14 crores youngsters getting ready to cast their maiden vote, the politics of the nation is heading for change. The political parties have already started luring these youngsters by making promises & planning policies that will benefit them as they get ready to decide the fate of the world’s biggest democracy by selecting or rejecting the candidates.
Recognizing the significance of these young participants in the world’s largest democratic exercise, CNN-IBN adds another masterpiece to its election programming – YOUNG INDIA DEBATES, a show to highlight the power of youth as India gets ready to vote. Anchored by Rajdeep Sardesai & Anubha Bhonsle, the debate show will emerge as a breakthrough in the election programming space.
Talking on the launch of the show, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, said, “Today the youth of this country dominates the electoral demography and is ready to play a pivotal role in the next government formation. Through this show, we as the leading news channel of the nation empower the youth to take up their issues & seek answers on their concerns by debating it with their leaders. This show is another milestone in our comprehensive election programming and also, stands testimony to our belief in inclusive Journalism.”
Don’t miss this special debate show starting 19th April, Saturday @ 8.00 PM and repeats on 20th April, Sunday @ 12 noon & 9.30 PM only on CNN-IBN.
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.
